LOS ANGELES – Pangasinan (meaning “where salt is made”) owes its name to the rich salt beds lining the coastal towns of the region, the prime source of livelihood for its locals. However, it is the roots, the diverse cultural heritage, and the spirit of the people that makes the province—notably the third biggest in the Ilocos region of the whole Philippine Archipelago—what it is today.
“Our dream is to make Pangasinan #1, the best in everything,” said Vice-Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim. “We want to make our people proud of their roots, to know their heritage.”
One of the ways the Pangasinan government is doing this is by teaming up with groups like the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, to showcase cultural products and Pangasinan-made goods of the region and bring the market overseas. The provincial government also aims to promote tourism and investment programs of the province, to reach out and work with various Pangasinan/Fil-Am associations.
“It is important to have an organized group not only to solidify unity and camaraderie among the local businessmen, but also to serve as a vehicle for the provincial government to showcase Pangasinan’s best products in the global market,” said Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard F. Baraan in a Pangasinan Brotherhood press release.
This month, the Pangasinan administration and Brotherhood members teamed up with the City of Artesia for the first-ever Diversity Business Exposition and Festival that was held on Saturday, October 4th. The event kicked off with a warm welcome to current Pangasinan governor Amado T. Espino, Vice-Gov Ferdinand Calimlim and members of the Pangasinan delegation; along with Artesia Mayor Tony Lima, Councilman Ali Taj, and other board members who were present at the event.
“We show our gratefulness to the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA and to help fulfill a common mission for our local Pangasinan producers who need assistance in moving forward in the area of trade and business,” said Governor Espino. “We come with joy to a call for the promotion of Pangasinan-made goods and products, tourism and investment programs.”
Vice-Gov. Calimlim, who led the Pangasinan delegation to the US earlier this week, also said that the provincial government will serve as a “bridge” for local producers and exporters seeking markets in the US and other parts of the world.
Calimlim spoke of the success of all-day Expo and Festival event, which was held on Pioneer Blvd. in Artesia, Calif. with visitors, producers, handicraft artists, businesses, and performers from all ethnic groups. Thousands were in attendance, he said, and producers were given the opportunity to showcase their goods to the local market and make valuable connections with buyers.
“Everything starts small, and we’re hoping something big will happen along the way. It’s the start of something big,” he said.
Pangasinan-made goods have never really been exposed on the international stage, so the event proved to be an important collaboration between groups and markets. The provincial government is planning to work closely with Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA to continue promoting the products, spirit, and beauty of the region.
“As a team, our goal is to make Pangasinan the place to work, live, and raise a family,” Calimlim said. “When you do that, first you have to set up the infrastructure and basics, to give people a good sense of livelihood in various means.”
One of its main focuses is health and the natural environment. Noting the natural beauty of the coastal province, the Dept. of Tourism has worked to take care of its natural resources, coastlines, and mangroves, and to make cities more attractive to visitors. They are also working to create a healthy Pangasinan environment that will help everyone to both “survive and thrive,” for people to achieve a better and bountiful life.
“We want to make it simply alive. And if everyone is healthy, then everyone is happy!” Calimlim exclaimed.
Another major goal for the administration is to promote tourism and an understanding of Pangasinan’s culture. “It’s about retracing our roots,” continued the Vice-Gov. “About discovering what people know and don’t know about the region, especially for Pangasinenses who have either never been or have not visited in a while.”
“You never really know where you are going until you know where you’ve came from,” he added.
As part of this project, the Vice-Gov. has spearheaded efforts to better understand Pangasinan history and culture; for instance, he is a commissioner of the new Pangasinan Historical Cultural Commission, a group of local scholars aiming to retrace colonial history and discover narratives of the region.
“With this new effort, people are beginning to trace their roots and are even discovering relatives from the past, such as Lolos and Lolas who helped shape both Pangasinan and Philippine culture,” Calimlim said proudly.
The Commission recently discovered that a part of the Philippine national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” was written in Bautista, a Pangasinan town.
“Knowing our roots, we feel even prouder, like we have played a major role in this country,” Calimlim finished. “If you haven’t been to Pangasinan or have not visited in a long time, when you arrive, we want you to know you’re there. You’ll be proud of your roots.”
