Balangueños told: Continue good ol’ Filipino days

Veering away from the time-honored speech on gallantry of Filipino heroes, Bataan ACES Foundation President Dr. Violeta Tolentino focused on demarcating the gloomy changes in the present culture.

 “[With regards to] respect for elders, others are becoming shy of pagmamano,” lamented Tolentino. The former education superintendent also decried the fading custom of family gathering over mealtime which has been an outlet of “joys of family members.”

 “But now, it’s up to you to see what happens over the dinner table. Do family members still eat together?”

Picking up the hint from Tolentino’s call on culture shift, Dangal Balangueño awardee Dr. Ariel Ilaya shared that simple civic actions are what it takes to contribute seriously in patriotism.

“One simple commemoration [of Philippine independence] is the collective effort of the community. It is one big help already when you pick up trash on the road. Helping in the barangay is a big lend of hand,” said Ilaya, President of the Multi-Sectoral Governance Coalition of Balanga City.

The celebration started with a parade from St. Joseph Cathedral then around the city center and back to the plaza. Representatives of each city government department marched in native barong tagalong and saya while holding Philippine flags of different evolutionary phases.

Teatro Balangueño performed an interpretive dance that beckoned the culmination of the annual activity, the ceremonial release of butterflies, white doves and balloons led by Vice Mayor Noel Valdecañas, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, and city department heads.