Mabalacat honors Romualdez as ‘native son’

House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Grig C. Montegrande/Inquirer)

MABALACAT, Pampanga — Commemorating its 11th cityhood anniversary on Friday, Mabalacat paid tribute to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, declaring him a “native son” of the city in Pampanga province, and a testament to its continuous progress.

A son of the city’s native, former Miss Juliette Gomez, Romualdez articulated his profound connection with the city, its residents, and vibrant culture.

“I am immensely grateful and moved to officially become an adopted son of your wonderful city. As we celebrate the 11th anniversary of Mabalacat’s Cityhood, we also recognize the resilience, strength, and progress of this city and its people,” Romualdez, whose hometown is Tacloban City, said.

Recalling his childhood spent roaming the city, Romualdez noted his deep familial connection to Mabalacat, stemming from the old Gomez-Romualdez house. Constructed in 1934, this pre-war edifice, now known as Tubigan, stands as a symbol of the city’s rich history, the family’s resilience, and enduring bonds with Mabalacat.

Romualdez also led the groundbreaking of the New Government Center on Friday, a celebration recognized as a special non-working day by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

The Speaker views the new center as an embodiment of the spirit of Mabalacat, symbolizing good governance aimed at better serving its people.

“As we break ground today, we also sow the seeds of a brighter future. Each grain of earth we move symbolizes the transformative efforts that we are initiating. Each brick we lay down stands for the strong foundation of unity and cooperation,” he said.

Romualdez commended the resilience, strength, and progress of the city and its people, marking the 11th cityhood anniversary as “a tangible sign of the progress we are committed to.”

MORE: ‘Heroes of our homes’: Romualdez hails dads on Father’s Day

(This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.)