Dr. Jun Ynares, M.D. By Dr. Jun Ynares   Last week, a young Spanish lady visited the City of Antipolo and the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. There are many things special about this young Spanish lady. First, at her young age, she is already the mayor of a beautiful town in the southern part of Spain. Second, that town of which she is mayor bears much resemblance to, and affinity with, the City of Antipolo. Third, that town – Laujar de Andarax in Almeria Province – was home to a Jesuit priest who wrote a lot of historical pieces about the Philippines in the 18th century, and who once served as parish priest of Antipolo. Her name is Senora Almudena Morales Asensio. In her hometown, she is referred to as “Alcaldesa,” meaning, lady-mayor. Barely 30 years old, she is a lawyer who has opted to lead her hometown and make it even better known to the world. She paid us a visit for a special reason. She was a “pilgrim” to the city and to the church in which one of her hometown’s most distinguished sons once served as parish priest: the historian and map maker Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde. Mayor Asensio paid a visit to our city to personally witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Antipolo and Laujar de Andarax. The document created the special bond of “Sister Cities” between the two. That relationship is highlighted by an agreement to do cultural exchanges and to help each other grow further economically and socially. Even without that document, Antipolo and Mayor Asensio’s Laujar de Andarax would pass for true sisters. They have much geophysical resemblance like siblings born of the same mother. Both are nestled in the hilly parts of their respective provinces and set against the backdrop of mighty mountain ranges. Both are blessed with beautiful scenery and spots where one may gaze at valleys and a bay below. Both provide delight to hikers, bikers, and backpackers. Both cities belong to provinces and to regions with similar histories highlighted by fierce patriotism and fights for independence. Both have renewable electric power sources built near them. Both cities are waging a similar battle: the struggle to retain and preserve their historical faces and identities while allowing economic progress to advance and better the lives of their respective citizens. Both have pasts that are sacred to them and a future filled with bright promises and excitement. Mayor Asensio’s visit and pilgrimage to Antipolo reignited the bond between her city and ours which began centuries ago. As earlier mentioned, a distinguished son of her beloved Laujar de Andarax served as parish priest of the Church which is home to the Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. The Jesuit Pedro Murillo Velarde was more than a man of the cloth. He was also a historian who passionately chronicled and documented the unfolding story of our beautiful islands. Father Pedro understood not just the Filipino story and soul but also its geography. He understood it so well that he drew one of the earliest maps of what were then referred to as the Philippine Islands. That map is known as the “Carta Hydrografica y Chorografica de las Yslas Filipinas.” A replica of that map now resides in the Antipolo City Hall, serving as a precious reminder of Mayor Asensio’s sentimental pilgrimage, and of her town-mate who arrived at our city centuries ahead of her. It is significant that Mayor Asensio visited Antipolo in the month of May. This is Antipolo’s pilgrimage month – the time of the year when  so many visitors and devotees go up to our hilltop city to vacation and to pray. She now joins the roster of distinguished pilgrims who have paid our city a historic visit. Muchas gracias y hasta la vista, Alcaldesa.   *For feedback, please email it to [email protected] or send it to #4 Horse Shoe Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Bgy. Beverly Hills, Antipolo City, Rizal.