Tarpauline for the Forum on Local History and Culture held by the Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. (NOHCI) with the support of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government on November 3, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Bacolod City in connection with the province’s Cinco de Noviembre celebration (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).
Attendees of the Forum on Local History and Culture held by the Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. (NOHCI) with the support of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government on November 3, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Bacolod City in connection with the province’s Cinco de Noviembre celebration (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).
Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. (NOHCI) Officers who conducted with the support of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government the Forum on Local History and Culture last November 3, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Bacolod City (top-down): Executive Director Roque P. Hofileña Jr. (Forum Facilitator), Chairman Msgr. Guillermo Gaston, Director/Treasurer Ma. Asuncion Belzunce, and DirectorRolando “Rolly” Espina (Featured Speakersa) (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).
Millenne Rose P. Casue of UNO-R, 1st Place Winner of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government-organized On the Spot Painting Contest, with her award and Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. (NOHCI) Chairman Msgr. Guillermo Gaston during the Forum on Local History and Culture on November 3, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Bacolod City (James U. Sy Jr./NDB/WVJ Photo).
The Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. (NOHCI) with the support of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government successfully held the Forum on Local History and Culture on November 3, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Bacolod City in connection with the province’s Cinco de Noviembre celebration. The forum, which was attended by not less than 91 students and government employees, was an echo of the Local History and Culture Forum (A Mini Dialogue Among Practitioners) conducted by the NOHCI last September 24, 2011 at the Jose Montelibano Hall, Sweet City Captel, Gatuslao St., Bacolod City in line with the council’s 40th (Ruby) Anniversary. However, more focus was given to the significance of the Cinco de Noviembre to the Negrense people in this later forum.
The roster of Featured Speakers were composed of NOHCI Officers, namely Msgr. Guillermo Gaston, Chairman; Ma. Asuncion Belzunce of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, Director/Treasurer; and long time journalist and Rolando “Rolly” Espina, Director. They were also the Featured Speakers for the previous forum. Forum Facilitator was NOHCI Executive Director Roque P. Hofileña Jr.
All three Guest Speakers elucidated the importance of awareness of local history and culture. Msgr. Gaston emphasized that the Filipino culture is a composite product of the various cultures that came to the islands as traders, migrants, or conquerors. Thus, the Filipino culture is actually a merger of the best of the east and the west. Furthermore, each region has its own native cultures and traditions. Negros, for instance, as voiced by Belzunce, has various expressions of its indigenous dances for different occasions. Dances and songs themselves are some of the mediums by which Filipinos expresses their thoughts and feelings in addition to poems, oral literature, and others. The diversity of these regional cultures is what makes the Filipino culture stand out from other Asian civilizations. Espina, as the other speakers, had pointed out that knowing the past can give each generation awareness and appreciation of their roots and the richness of their heritage.
Msgr. Gaston laments that some students don’t even know the real reason behind the celebration of the Cinco de Noviembre or when it is being celebrated, as is the case with other holidays such as Rizal Fay, people just simply think of the ceremonies involved rather than the message it conveys. The capitulation of the Spaniards to the Bago forces under Gen. Juan Araneta and Talisay forces under Gen. Anaceto Lacson is historically significant since it was a bloodless victory, much like the world famous People Power of 1986. While Tagalog heroes are often celebrated in Philippine history, Filipinos in the provinces, including Negrosanons, must realize that they have their own heroes who also fought for their freedom. Not many knew that while Gen. Aguinaldo established his republic in Luzon, Negros and Panay had their own republics at roughly the same time.
Another aspect of Negrosanon culture that has been discussed was language. Msgr. Gaston pointed out that the Hiligaynon language is very rich and the Ilonggos should know them by heart.
Hofileña called unto the attendees to document their own family histories for the next generation to appreciate and as a reference for them. He cited Msgr. Gaston who annually updates the history of the Gaston Family. He also invited the participants to visit the NOHI Library for their research needs.
The Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. (formerly Commission) was created by Resolution No. 33 of the Provincial Board chaired by then Gov. Alfredo L. Montelibano Jr. in 1971 and was formally constituted in 1973. The main goal of the council is to help the province promote history and culture with a focus on local history.
The forum was covered by GMA Network as well as the Negros Daily Bulletin and Western Visayas Journal through James U. Sy Jr.
At about a third of the forum, the awarding ceremony for the winners of the On the Spot Painting Contest was conducted. Winners for the elementary category were Millenne Rose P. Casue of UNO-R (1st Place), Angela Joy H. Musang of UNO-R (2nd Place), Catherine Joy C. Perejon of Cudangdang Elementary School (3rd Place), Gracelia R. Ngangan of Naravis-Paticcii Elementary School (4th Place), and Stephanie J. Lobaton of Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School (5th Place). Winners for the high school category were Katherine S. Pedrera of Mansilingan Agro Industrial High School (1st Place), Napthalie Paulie Betia of Angela Gonzaga National High School (2nd Place), Aira Moralde of Teofilo M. Gensoli Jr. National High School (3rd Place), Ryan Christian Rodero of Luis Hervias National High School (4th Place), and Ramir Aliosa Jr. of Paglaum Village National High School (5th Place).
The following schools were represented in the forum: Angela Gonzaga National High School, Bacolod City National High School, Dr. Antonio A. Lizares Municipal High School, ELNHS, FGNIS, Fr. Murray Gracianan Integrated School, Mandalagan National High School, Mansilingan Agro Industrial High School, Mansilingan High School, Negros Occidental High School (NOHS), PVNHS, St. Joseph-La Salle, Sum-ag High School, Teofilo M. Gensoli Jr. National High School, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), and University of St. La Salle (USLS).
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