Singkapital 2016: Commemoration of Bayambang as the Fifth Capital of the First Philippine Republic
In November of 1899, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippines, transferred the seat of government from Malolos, Bulacan, to different towns as he travelled north fleeing from the pursuing American invaders, until on November 12, he and the rest of the top-ranked members of his government decided to hide in the town of Bayambang, Pangasinan. With him were Gen. Antonio Luna, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, Rafael Palma, and possibly other prominent personalities during the Revolutionary Period. This is how Bayambang came to be the fifth and final capital of the First Philippine Republic, a role that may be small but certainly significant in the birth of the Filipino nation and our evolution as a Filipino people. Other select towns (now cities) whose official histories can lay the same historical claim are Angeles (Pampanga), Tarlac (Tarlac), and Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija).
This momentous event in Bayambang’s history was once again commemorated in a ceremony last Saturday, with no less than the local Chief Executive, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, Vice-Mayor Raul Sabangan, and the rest of the Sangguniang Bayan and LGU officials and staff leading. The ceremony was called Singkapital, a coinage from “singko” and “capital,” and it was characterized by a mix of solemnity and pomp that this watershed event deserves.
Singkapital Martsa
Singkapital 2016 started at 7 am with a motorcade around the Poblacion area which was dominated by a float bearing Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s most well-known visage and carrying the councilors and other top municipal officials. The float was escorted by marshalls, PNP Bayambang’s mobile, and the Rural Health Unit 1’s vehicle.
This was followed by vehicles carrying the officials and members of Bayambang Municipal Council for Culture and the Arts (BMCCA), the organizers of Singkapital headed by its Executive Director, retired Pangasinan State University (PSU) professor Januario Cuchapin and BMCCA Culture and Arts head, Tococ East National High School teacher Rafael L. Saygo, who was assigned as the overall director of Singkapital.
The drum and lyre corps of St. Vincent Catholic School, Tococ East-West Elementary School, and Buayaen Elementary School were positioned at various points to provide the marching music.
Other vehicles carried the representatives from the following: PSU, public secondary schools, private schools, Bayambang District I and District II, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
“Panangidayew ed Aguinaldo”
The parade was succeeded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo monument located in front of the Municipal Hall. It was led by Mayor CTQ and First Lady Niña Jose Quiambao. A volley fire then followed, executed by selected PNP members.
A program quickly ensued at the Municipal Covered Court, where a jampacked crowd of teachers, barangay captains, barangay councilors, students, and ordinary citizens was waiting. It was opened with an interfaith prayer led by representatives of the different religious groups, followed by a rendition of the national anthem and “Himno’y Luyag na Pangasinan” by the PSU Chorale. Acting Municipal Vice-Mayor Joseph Vincent E. Ramos then welcomed the distinguished guests, fellow officials, and the rest of the audience.
“Lingayen Tayo’y Karuman”
Julie D. Junio, a teacher at Bayambang National High School who ably emceed the program, proceeded with a narrative video presentation titled “Bayambang: Kumaliman Kapital na Pilipinas – Lingayen Tayo’y Karuman.” Among the most memorable scenes from the material prepared with the help of the ICT Department are the interment of Aguinaldo’s daughter Flora Victoria in the grounds of Bayambang and the moment Aguinaldo and company departed the town after the president decided to halt military operations and proceed to guerrilla warfare. The presentation was pronounced by all to be a most touching, educational video on why this town possesses such a historic title.
CTQ: “Ang Bayambang ay Kanlungan ng mga Bayani”
In his inspirational message delivered in Filipino, Mayor CTQ, who was fresh from vacation in Los Angeles, California, said that he rushed back home knowing the import of the day’s affair. He recalled how Bayambang became the country’s fifth capital, detailing the largely unknown proceedings at the time to drive home the point that we are enjoying today’s life of freedom from foreign oppressors, thanks to the courage and self-sacrifice of Aguinaldo, Luna, Del Pilar, Mabini, and the rest of our national heroes. He also underscored the fact that being the country’s former fifth capital and a refuge of national heroes is an inescapable part of Bayambang’s identity.
“We may not become national heroes today, but we can become heroes no matter our station in life by following traffic rules, paying the right taxes, avoiding illegal drugs, patronizing our products, honing our talents…” he added.
Distinguished Guests
Singkapital was made even more special by the presence of two distinguished guests, Ms. Virginia Jasmin Pasalo, who is Commissioner of Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, and Mr. Jaime ‘Bong’ Antonio Jr., who is Culture and Development Consultant of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
After delivering their speeches, Pasalo and Antonio were called on stage to each receive a plaque of appreciation from Mayor CTQ accompanied by the municipal councilors, other officials, and BMCCA members.
Sonis, Sayaw, tan Gayaga na Baley
In between the speeches, the PSU Chorale came back on stage to serenade the audience with remarkable renditions of native compositions extolling heroism, and the award-winning Matalunggaring Dance Troupe, also of PSU, performed two folk dances that are part of Pangasinan’s intangible heritage. One dance, called “Boling-Boling,” used dinner plates, while another dance, called “Oasioas,” employed cloth-encased glasses that served as lamps and swung around. Both performances were well-received.
Pasalo: “You are a town with a tradition for rebellion for what is right and just.”
Citing a book reference (Rosario Mendoza Cortes’s three-part series titled Pangasinan), Pasalo revealed that two months before the Malong uprising in Lingayen, there was already a rebellion in what was then called Malungey or Balungey, the old name of Bayambang. “You started the (anti-Spanish) rebellion in Pangasinan – it’s in your tradition to have a spirit of rebellion for the right, for the just. That is why you have someone like Sr. Mary John Mananzan and other leaders whom you don’t know are from here.”
“Today, in the age of Internet memes, there is a pervasive lack of thoughtful analysis of the social issues of the day. I therefore expect you to come out, to lead the much-needed process of social transformation,” she exhorted all Bayambangueños.
In a well-applauded gesture of support, Pasalo donated to the Municipal Library a couple of books on Pangasinan history, which include heretofore unknown details of the town’s own colonial-era history.
Antonio: “Singkapital should be a national celebration too!”
In his own speech, Antonio lauded what he noticed in the day’s affair as “a beautiful merging of the arts, history, and culture.” He called the attention of the barangay captains present and acknowledged their direct hand in enriching the town’s culture and arts and passing on the heritage to future generations. He lamented how culture and arts are acutely under-represented in the creation of plantilla positions in local government units, and called for a need to reassess the work of “national development through a cultural lens.” “I see this movement really blooming in this town,” he said.
“Apart from healthy lifestyle and sound nutrition, culture plays a very important role in the development of children,” he further pointed out. “Culture gives them a sense of belongingness. It helps them know that they are part of a community and they have a history and culture to identify with,” added Antonio.
“I think it makes sense for Flora Victoria to choose to be buried in Bayambang’s soil,” he noted. “Flora Victoria literally means “flower of victory.” This day is a big inspiration to push for culture.”
“The Theory of the Pendulum says ‘You can only move forward as far as you move back. You trace your town’s history to (as far back as) 1614. That is how forward you can go as well.”
Antonio noticed how the narrative presented in the video was about “entries and exits… arrivals and departures.” It is a story that starts in Malolos and ends in Bayambang. I hope this great effort today will not just come and go. I also hope Singkapital will not just be a municipal celebration but a national celebration as well,” he enthused.
Pangitalendeg tan Mensahe a Pangako
Singkapital 2016 closed with the Pangitalendeg or oath-taking of the officers and members of BMCCA, which is comprised of some LGU officials, many of the town’s top academics, and its artistic community’s respected leaders, followed by a formal pledge of continuous support for Bayambang’s culture and arts by Punong Barangay Judith Ramos, who is also the town’s Hermana Mayor for special events.
Meanwhile, two other planned highlights of Singkapital are Liber ed Karuman, “a historical tour of the landmarks of the town to be participated in by public and private elementary and secondary students of the municipality and tourists” and Bayambanghenyo, “a holding of historical classes in all the different schools of town every Friday of every week from September to December to magnify” Gen. Aguinaldo’s historic proclamation. (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)
In November of 1899, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippines, transferred the seat of government from Malolos, Bulacan, to different towns as he travelled north fleeing from the pursuing American invaders, until on November 12, he and the rest of the top-ranked members of his government decided to hide in the town of Bayambang, Pangasinan. With him were Gen. Antonio Luna, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, Rafael Palma, and possibly other prominent personalities during the Revolutionary Period. This is how Bayambang came to be the fifth and final capital of the First Philippine Republic, a role that may be small but certainly significant in the birth of the Filipino nation and our evolution as a Filipino people. Other select towns (now cities) whose official histories can lay the same historical claim are Angeles (Pampanga), Tarlac (Tarlac), and Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija).
This momentous event in Bayambang’s history was once again commemorated in a ceremony last Saturday, with no less than the local Chief Executive, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, Vice-Mayor Raul Sabangan, and the rest of the Sangguniang Bayan and LGU officials and staff leading. The ceremony was called Singkapital, a coinage from “singko” and “capital,” and it was characterized by a mix of solemnity and pomp that this watershed event deserves.
Singkapital Martsa
Singkapital 2016 started at 7 am with a motorcade around the Poblacion area which was dominated by a float bearing Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s most well-known visage and carrying the councilors and other top municipal officials. The float was escorted by marshalls, PNP Bayambang’s mobile, and the Rural Health Unit 1’s vehicle.
This was followed by vehicles carrying the officials and members of Bayambang Municipal Council for Culture and the Arts (BMCCA), the organizers of Singkapital headed by its Executive Director, retired Pangasinan State University (PSU) professor Januario Cuchapin and BMCCA Culture and Arts head, Tococ East National High School teacher Rafael L. Saygo, who was assigned as the overall director of Singkapital.
The drum and lyre corps of St. Vincent Catholic School, Tococ East-West Elementary School, and Buayaen Elementary School were positioned at various points to provide the marching music.
Other vehicles carried the representatives from the following: PSU, public secondary schools, private schools, Bayambang District I and District II, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
“Panangidayew ed Aguinaldo”
The parade was succeeded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo monument located in front of the Municipal Hall. It was led by Mayor CTQ and First Lady Niña Jose Quiambao. A volley fire then followed, executed by selected PNP members.
A program quickly ensued at the Municipal Covered Court, where a jampacked crowd of teachers, barangay captains, barangay councilors, students, and ordinary citizens was waiting. It was opened with an interfaith prayer led by representatives of the different religious groups, followed by a rendition of the national anthem and “Himno’y Luyag na Pangasinan” by the PSU Chorale. Acting Municipal Vice-Mayor Joseph Vincent E. Ramos then welcomed the distinguished guests, fellow officials, and the rest of the audience.
“Lingayen Tayo’y Karuman”
Julie D. Junio, a teacher at Bayambang National High School who ably emceed the program, proceeded with a narrative video presentation titled “Bayambang: Kumaliman Kapital na Pilipinas – Lingayen Tayo’y Karuman.” Among the most memorable scenes from the material prepared with the help of the ICT Department are the interment of Aguinaldo’s daughter Flora Victoria in the grounds of Bayambang and the moment Aguinaldo and company departed the town after the president decided to halt military operations and proceed to guerrilla warfare. The presentation was pronounced by all to be a most touching, educational video on why this town possesses such a historic title.
CTQ: “Ang Bayambang ay Kanlungan ng mga Bayani”
In his inspirational message delivered in Filipino, Mayor CTQ, who was fresh from vacation in Los Angeles, California, said that he rushed back home knowing the import of the day’s affair. He recalled how Bayambang became the country’s fifth capital, detailing the largely unknown proceedings at the time to drive home the point that we are enjoying today’s life of freedom from foreign oppressors, thanks to the courage and self-sacrifice of Aguinaldo, Luna, Del Pilar, Mabini, and the rest of our national heroes. He also underscored the fact that being the country’s former fifth capital and a refuge of national heroes is an inescapable part of Bayambang’s identity.
“We may not become national heroes today, but we can become heroes no matter our station in life by following traffic rules, paying the right taxes, avoiding illegal drugs, patronizing our products, honing our talents…” he added.
Distinguished Guests
Singkapital was made even more special by the presence of two distinguished guests, Ms. Virginia Jasmin Pasalo, who is Commissioner of Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, and Mr. Jaime ‘Bong’ Antonio Jr., who is Culture and Development Consultant of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
After delivering their speeches, Pasalo and Antonio were called on stage to each receive a plaque of appreciation from Mayor CTQ accompanied by the municipal councilors, other officials, and BMCCA members.
Sonis, Sayaw, tan Gayaga na Baley
In between the speeches, the PSU Chorale came back on stage to serenade the audience with remarkable renditions of native compositions extolling heroism, and the award-winning Matalunggaring Dance Troupe, also of PSU, performed two folk dances that are part of Pangasinan’s intangible heritage. One dance, called “Boling-Boling,” used dinner plates, while another dance, called “Oasioas,” employed cloth-encased glasses that served as lamps and swung around. Both performances were well-received.
Pasalo: “You are a town with a tradition for rebellion for what is right and just.”
Citing a book reference (Rosario Mendoza Cortes’s three-part series titled Pangasinan), Pasalo revealed that two months before the Malong uprising in Lingayen, there was already a rebellion in what was then called Malungey or Balungey, the old name of Bayambang. “You started the (anti-Spanish) rebellion in Pangasinan – it’s in your tradition to have a spirit of rebellion for the right, for the just. That is why you have someone like Sr. Mary John Mananzan and other leaders whom you don’t know are from here.”
“Today, in the age of Internet memes, there is a pervasive lack of thoughtful analysis of the social issues of the day. I therefore expect you to come out, to lead the much-needed process of social transformation,” she exhorted all Bayambangueños.
In a well-applauded gesture of support, Pasalo donated to the Municipal Library a couple of books on Pangasinan history, which include heretofore unknown details of the town’s own colonial-era history.
Antonio: “Singkapital should be a national celebration too!”
In his own speech, Antonio lauded what he noticed in the day’s affair as “a beautiful merging of the arts, history, and culture.” He called the attention of the barangay captains present and acknowledged their direct hand in enriching the town’s culture and arts and passing on the heritage to future generations. He lamented how culture and arts are acutely under-represented in the creation of plantilla positions in local government units, and called for a need to reassess the work of “national development through a cultural lens.” “I see this movement really blooming in this town,” he said.
“Apart from healthy lifestyle and sound nutrition, culture plays a very important role in the development of children,” he further pointed out. “Culture gives them a sense of belongingness. It helps them know that they are part of a community and they have a history and culture to identify with,” added Antonio.
“I think it makes sense for Flora Victoria to choose to be buried in Bayambang’s soil,” he noted. “Flora Victoria literally means “flower of victory.” This day is a big inspiration to push for culture.”
“The Theory of the Pendulum says ‘You can only move forward as far as you move back. You trace your town’s history to (as far back as) 1614. That is how forward you can go as well.”
Antonio noticed how the narrative presented in the video was about “entries and exits… arrivals and departures.” It is a story that starts in Malolos and ends in Bayambang. I hope this great effort today will not just come and go. I also hope Singkapital will not just be a municipal celebration but a national celebration as well,” he enthused.
Pangitalendeg tan Mensahe a Pangako
Singkapital 2016 closed with the Pangitalendeg or oath-taking of the officers and members of BMCCA, which is comprised of some LGU officials, many of the town’s top academics, and its artistic community’s respected leaders, followed by a formal pledge of continuous support for Bayambang’s culture and arts by Punong Barangay Judith Ramos, who is also the town’s Hermana Mayor for special events.
Meanwhile, two other planned highlights of Singkapital are Liber ed Karuman, “a historical tour of the landmarks of the town to be participated in by public and private elementary and secondary students of the municipality and tourists” and Bayambanghenyo, “a holding of historical classes in all the different schools of town every Friday of every week from September to December to magnify” Gen. Aguinaldo’s historic proclamation. (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)
