This week’s milestones: Oct. 6 to Oct.12
Oct. 8, 2014
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines installed a historical marker in Filamer Christian University (FCU). This university is one of the oldest private educational institutions in the province of Capiz. Founded in August 1904 by Rev. Joseph C. Robbins and Cecilia Sainz, FCU started as an orphanage under the sponsorship of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. Back then, it was called Capiz Home School. It became an institute in 1952, then a college in 1985. Since then, FCU has experienced growth in student enrolment, professional courses offered and campus development. In 2010, it officially attained university status and adopted its current name. The distinctive name of “Filamer” signifies the joint venture of Filipinos and Americans in establishing and running the educational institute.
Oct. 12, 1936
Then President Manuel L. Quezon signed Commonwealth Act No. 39 or the City Charter of Zamboanga. Nestled at the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga City is the fifth most populous city in the Philippines, with a population of 977,234 according to the 2020 census. It is also the third largest city by land area (1,483.39 square kilometers). Zamboanga City serves as a vital gateway to Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. Historically, it has been a center of barter trade since the 13th and 14th centuries. This city was designated as highly urbanized under Batas Pambansa No. 337 in November 1983 and is still the only city holding that distinction in Zamboanga Peninsula. Today, Zamboanga City stands as the commercial and industrial hub of the region.
Compiled by: Nathalie Grace Adalid, Inquirer Research
Source: Castilla Tourism Facebook Page, Ana Kalang Lanzones Festival Facebook Page, Nagcarlan Cultural Heritage and Historical Organization Facebook Page, Filamer Christian University Facebook Page, ethnicgroupsphilippines.com, castillasorsogon.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com, pna.gov.ph, zamboangacity.gov.ph, filamer.edu.ph
THIS WEEK’S FESTIVALS
Oct. 6 to Oc.t 12
Unod Festival (Oct. 1 to Oct. 7)
Unod Festival, held in Castilla, Sorsogon, celebrates the municipality’s bountiful harvest of rich agricultural resources. This festival also honors the hard work of farmers as well as encourages the community to prioritize agriculture. During the festivity, farmers display their finest products, primarily root crops—hence the local term “unod.” This tradition was called “tinagba,” which means a thanksgiving practice where priests bless the exhibited products. Following the blessing, these products are sold at affordable prices, providing essential support for hardworking farmers. Aside from tinagba, Unod Festival features a variety of lively events, including street dancing competitions, cooking contests, beauty pageant and Agri Day.
Ana Kalang Lanzones Festival (Oct. 4 to Oct. 13)
The Ana Kalang Lanzones Festival in Nagcarlan, Laguna, holds the distinction of being the first nonreligious festival in the province. Started in 1987 as the Nagcarlan Lanzones Festival, it aims to showcase the major agricultural products of the town, specifically lanzones. This vibrant celebration also highlights the rich culture and the skills and talents of Nagcarlan residents. In 1989, it changed to its present name, Ana Kalang Lanzones Festival, inspired by a popular local legend about Ana Kalang, the head of an ancient tribe, who removed the poison from the lanzones fruit to make it edible. This year’s festivities will have exciting events such as a grand parade, beauty pageant, food bazaar and street party. The festivity will also have a state of the municipality address, a seminar on lanzones production and rehabilitation and the distribution of lanzones seedlings.
