hISTORYA

PIMENTEL Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano 26 October 2019 The country mourns the loss of another freedom fighter in the name of Aquilino “Nene” Quilinging Pimentel, Jr. last October 20, 2019. This morning, the democracy icon and the 19 th Senate President was laid to rest at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City. I have my own personal memories with the Father of the Local Government Code of 1991. He was one of my professors at the University of Makati (UMak) when I took up my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science major in Local Government Administration in 2011. I was the first in class to ask a question and it was not related to the subject matter nor to the topics he discussed. I was curious why his nickname was “Nene” when in fact he is a boy. In my culture, the name Nene is always referred to a young girl. Everybody in class laughed and he answered wittingly that it is a common moniker among Cebuanos not only for girls but for boys also. During the entire course,

LAPU-LAPU & QUINCENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION PREP Dr. TroyAlexander G. Miano 15 October 2019 President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 22, s. 2018 on May 8, 2018 constituting a steering committee for the commemoration of the quincentennial of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines, the victory of Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan, and other historic events that happened from 1521 to 1522. As a lover of history, I prepared to participate in the 500 year old, once in a lifetime celebration of our nation’s history. As early as last year, I already drafted pamphlets, scribbled historical articles and prepared photos to mark the quincentennial anniversary. I was given the rare chance by Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” T. Albano III, through the Provincial Administrator, to attend the Stakeholders’ Meeting for Luzon this afternoon at the Heroes Hall, City Hall of San Fernando, Pampanga. Hon. Jaime T. Lazatin, my classmate in my doctoral degree at th

SAINT AUGUSTINE CHURCH, PAOAY & VALENTIN DIAZ Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano 05 October 2019 Yesterday is one of the most unforgettable date for the Isabela Tourism Office. The Province of Isabela under the leadership of Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” T. Albano and Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III was awarded grand winner for the best tourism event for its Bambanti Festival. This significant awarding ceremonies initiated by Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) transpired at the home of one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines – the Saint Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. An official marker stands proud at the front yard of the religious edifice. To know more about the recognized heritage site, I turned to Google and it narrates that the  UNESCO  (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has designated six  World Heritage Sites  in the  Philippines . The sit

BAMBANTI FESTIVAL: GRAND WINNER, BEST TOURISM EVENT- FESTIVAL,AS THANKSGIVING FOR A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano 04 October 2019 A couple of hours ago, the Province of Isabela received one of the most coveted awards in the tourism industry – the Pearl Award. Isabela 4 th District Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Abegail V. Sable, SP Chair Committee on Tourism, received the ATOP-DOT award in behalf of Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” T. Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III. The delegates from the City of Ilagan, Cauayan City and Santo Tomas town who are all regular participants of the annual Bambanti Festival joined us to receive the unique Paoay Church-inspired trophy. ATOP National President Minda V. Regis and DOT Region II Director Virgilio M. Maguigad together with the other ATOP Officers and DOT Regional Directors were also present during the ceremonies witnessed by over 800 delegates and guests coming from all regions of the Philippi

AGLIPAY MARKERS Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano 03 October 2019 Three things come in my mind when I hear the name Aglipay. First is the Independent Church of Filipino Christians (ICFC) religious edifice found a few meters away from our house in Cabatuan, Isabela. The second is the Municipality of Aglipay in the Province of Quirino, the town named after the head of the only existing religious sect in the community at that time and was created a town on November 11, 1950 by virtue of Executive Order No. 368 signed by President Elpidio Quirino. And the third that comes to my mind is the man behind the name – Gregorio Aglipay y Labayan. Part of the immersion tour package of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) 20 th National Convention is Batac City. But before we reached the old pueblo of Batac, we decided to extend our tour and visit the historic town of Pinili, famous as the site where the Philippine Independent Church was founded particularly in