BEYOND BUDGET
Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
I always get a sense of nostalgia whenever I visit the charming coastal town of Baler in the province of Aurora. Fond memories fill my mind, especially when with the people who have shaped my life and work now.
Many people think of Baler, Aurora, foremost as one of the most popular surfing spots in the country — truly a traveler's paradise with its gorgeous and wonderful natural beauty.
However, more than its natural wonders, its colorful colonial history plays an important role in building this dynamic town where the old meets the vivid new.
My visits to Baler decades ago were courtesy of my former boss, the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara (or SEJA as he was affectionately known).
For SEJA, Aurora — with Baler as its capital town — is a “laboratory for development,” asserting that “…it could serve as a model for rural development throughout the country.”
I recall that the last week of June was always hectic for us because we would be in SEJA’s hometown to prepare for the commemoration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on June 30.
Unknown to many, 125 years ago, this beautiful place served as the backdrop of our tough decision to show a revolutionary act of love. Spanish soldiers seized the Baler Church, unaware that 15 days prior, the Philippine Independence was proclaimed and that the war had concluded. Out of loyalty to their country, the Spanish troop defended the Church for 337 days.
Only through a presidential decree by President Emilio Aguinaldo, when the soldiers were given safe passage and were treated as friends, did the “Siege of Baler” end. This act of kindness signaled a turning point in our history and became the foundation for better relations between the Philippines and Spain.
Thus, this period is a special time for Baler. Its son, SEJA, authored the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, ratified as Republic Act No. 9187 on Feb. 5, 2003.
I was among the staff of SEJA in the Senate when RA 9187 was enacted. I was there during the very first commemoration 21 years ago. Thus, I am glad to witness that to this day, the Philippines and Spain continue to have robust economic, tourism, and cultural ties.
Last year, for instance, Spain's Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism (Mincotur) organized a delegation of more than 20 potential investors to explore business cooperation and opportunities in the country. The Spanish Chamber of Commerce continues to be active in the business landscape. Early this year, the Philippines participated in the International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid. Further, the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines and the cultural center Instituto Cervantes de Manila are active in promoting the Spanish culture in the country.
Investing in culture and history
Culture plays an equally essential role in a country's progress and development. Infrastructure and technology, while vital, needs to be balanced by culture as an enriching equalizer.
When a community comes together to celebrate its shared experiences, it opens the door to additional collaboration, opportunity, and a desire to improve each other's socioeconomic well-being. This is especially true for the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day celebration. It not only commemorates the bond and shared culture, but it also prepares the path for mutually beneficial initiatives.
The administration of President Bongbong Marcos realizes the importance of culture in the country's developmental challenges.
Thus, for FY 2023, the government has allocated ₱344.63 million for the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; ₱776.15 million for NCCA; ₱221.51 million for the National Archives of the Philippines; ₱84.59 million for the Commission on the Filipino Language; ₱456.27 million for CCP, and ₱1.21 billion for the National Museum.
The DBM will continue to support the completion of the National Museum in Baler which recently broke ground. I believe that SEJA will be glad that his son, Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, is continuing his legacy by establishing the National Museum in Baler to allow the people of Aurora and adjoining provinces to admire, learn more of, and love our country's rich cultural heritage.
We believe that the budget for culture and the arts will help to raise awareness and promote our rich culture and history.
Patron of the arts
"Every Filipino deserves a fighting chance," SEJA would always say. That was his driving force for the legacy that he left behind.
SEJA wasn't just a general for the arts and culture, but a soldier — promoting culture, honoring history, and pushing for quality education by authoring bills.
His legacy laws included the National Cultural Heritage Law; the National Book Publishing Industry Development Act; and the establishment of the National Museum and National Commission on Culture and the Arts.
SEJA believed that our history, culture, and people are intertwined with our strong ties and the ideals to which we pledge: we are one and we are united.
With this, the PBBM administration encourages Filipinos to continue enriching our history, culture, and identity. By doing so, we contribute to the cultivation of nationalism and elevate the essence of being a Filipino that will propel us to accomplish our common vision of progress.
Beyond budget, the Philippine–Spanish Friendship Day fosters and strengthens the bond between two nations that share history, values, and traditions. Moving forward, we must view and sustain this as part of our nation's soul— an intangible but potent asset that binds us together, and makes our society robust in the face of adversity and crisis.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the current Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)