PEACE-MAKER

As a father who devoted many years in public office, we are proud that our son, Christopher, who is approaching the end of his third and final term as congressman, has led the transformation of the fourth district of Pangasinan as a vibrant center for arts, culture, and tourism.

Indeed, he recognized early on that progress is not only measured by economic growth and infrastructure development, which are also among his many accomplishments, but also by the richness of the community’s soul. For indeed, the arts and culture are the soul of the community, embodying in values and aspirations.

Last Friday, he led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum in our hometown Dagupan City, which aims to promote culture and the arts as well as creative industries in the community; and to honor our national artists from Dagupan — Victorio Edades, known as the “Father of Modern Philippine Art” and Salvador Bernal, acknowledged as the “Father of Theater Design in the Philippines.”

Congressman Christopher authored in 2022 in the House of Representatives the now Republic Act 11726 establishing the said cultural center and museum.

The establishment of the Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum is not only a fitting tribute to these two towering Dagupenos in Philippine art and culture; it is also a significant step in fostering a sense of community and pride within the community. By showcasing the works and stories of these national artists, the museum reminds both the locals and tourists of Pangasinan’s deep-seated contribution to Philippine art.

Victorio Edades, born in 1895 in Dagupan, spearheaded the modernist movement in the Philippines and paved the way for the progressive art styles that flourished in the mid-20th century.
Salvador Bernal, on the other hand, born in 1945 in Dagupan, brought innovation and excellence to the field of theater design, which earned him numerous recognitions and elevated Philippine theater to world-class standards.

Dagupan is also home to the now famous “MacArthur House,” the Home Economics building in the West Central Elementary School which General Douglas MacArthur used as a military outpost in Northern Luzon during World War II.

We are proud that it was also our son, Congressman Christopher, who pushed for the restoration of the “MacArthur House” and its transformation into a tourist destination and a heritage site.
As we wrote in this column much earlier, we actually saw General MacArthur in the Home Economics of the West Central Elementary School, formerly the Dagupan Elementary School, where we studied. We were then nine years old.

The cultural renaissance not only in Dagupan City but in the fourth district of Pangasinan, which also includes the town of Manaoag, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, and San Fabian is not only about honoring the past but also about envisioning a future where the arts are an integral part of the community’s identity.