Encouraging public awareness on some aspects of Cavite’s culture, Cavite Studies The legacies of Spain in its almost three centuries of stay in the Philippines particularly in Cavite were once again remembered and discussed. This was made possible through a conference on local history and culture hosted by Cavite Studies Center (CSC) and De La Salle University-Dasmariñas on June 29 at the Tanghalang Julian Felipe, DLSU-D.
The conference was also in response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s move to commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain as mandated by RA 9187 signed on February 5, 2003.
In the program, Dr. Veronidia de Leon, vice president for academics and research, gave the welcome remarks encouraging the 150 participants from private and public schools in Cavite to be agents of change in advancing the Filipino ideals of liberal and participatory democracy.
Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi, through his representative Dr. Emmanuel Santiaguel, extended his message on enriching the history and culture of the Philippines. Likewise, Hon. Emelita Almosara, deputy executive director of the National Historical Institute (NHI), stressed the relevance of holding such conference in order to assess the extent of different researches on the various aspects of Spanish legacies in the country particularly in Cavite.
Keynote speaker former Justice Ameurfina A.M. Herrera, chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Academy, discussed the efforts exerted by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in establishing and maintaining a friendly relationship with the besieged Spanish soldiers during the Filipino-Spanish war. She even mentioned how Gen. Aguinaldo advocated the right for human life even when there was war.
CSC Director Dr. Calairo, on the other hand, informed the audience of the conference overview and pressed on preserving and supporting the legacies of Spain in Cavite and promoting their significance.
The conference, being a whole day affair, comprised three sessions of paper presentations.
Among the topics discussed during the sessions are the Cavite Puerto’s galeones in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Chavacano of Cavite, the history of Banda San Francisco de Malabon Grande, the ancestral houses, the role played by the National Archives in history research, Cavite writers during the Spanish times, Silang’s religiosity, the churches in Cavite, and the Cavite cemeteries during the Spanish period. These were presented by the Associate Dean of College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Prof. Teresita Unabia, Prof. Teresita Pareja of the Languages Department, Dr. Efren R. Abueg, CSC writer- in- residence, CSC research personnel Michael Francisco and Mr. Jeffrey Lubang. Discussants from the Social Sciences Department were Mr. Gilbert Macarandang, Dr. Amelia Reyes, Dr. Imelda Dumaual and Mr. Jesus Medina.
An open forum after each session was observed. Distribution of certificates and a book raffle were also conducted. Dean Mark Edwin Aspra of the CLA delivered the closing remarks.
The confe-rence was made possible through the sponsorship of the Office of Senator Edgardo Angara, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Spanish Embassy and the NHI.