CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Folk in this province now seem to have shed off the psychological and emotional trauma of the devastating eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, as they now brace festively to commemorate the tragedy that befell them 20 years ago.
For the first time, Pampanga folk are marking Mt. Pinatubo Commemoration Week from June 15 to 21. This is in accord with Resolution No. 1810 passed last January by the provincial board.
Even Kapampangan congressmen who survived the eruption and the ensuing lahar flows have taken to filing bills related to Mt. Pinatubo, although bills have remained pending.
One proposes the official declaration of Mt. Pinatubo as “a major tourism spot”, while the other seeks to make every June 15 a non-working holiday to be known as Mt. Pinatubo Memorial Day in Pampanga.
Mt. Pinatubo’s so-called “big bang” occurred on that date in 1991 when volcanic sand, spread by a typhoon, rained upon Central Luzon. However, it was earlier on June 12, Independence Day that the volcano’s initial eruption was noticed to have shot up ash cloud from its crater.
Yet another coffee table book titled “Mt. Pinatubo, a Volcano in our Backyard” by Robbie Tantingco is to be launched this afternoon at the Holy Angel University. The book would feature for the first time photos taken by tourism officer Guy Hilbero during the eruption and the consequent lahar flows.
In Angeles City, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said he has lined up a series of activities to mark the eruption and chose the theme “Turning Tragedy into Triumph” so as “to give tribute to the city’s ability to rise after the disastrous calamity.”
Pamintuan was then the vice mayor of Angeles during Mt. Pinatubo’s big eruption on June 15, 1991. He won the mayoralty race in 1992 against the incumbent mayor, Antonio Abad Santos
“We painfully remember the devastation, and at the same time, give tribute to our joint efforts by celebrating how we got back on our feet from the throes of the calamity,” said Pamintuan.
The city will also launch the coffee table book “Agyu Tamu: Turning Tragedy into Triumph” edited by PUNTO columnist Bong Z, Lacson at the opening of photo exhibits in Marquee Mall, SM City Clark and Museo ning Angeles on June 15 too.
Since the series of eruptions and corresponding lahar flows ceased, Mt. Pinatubo became a tourist attraction, particularly among adventurers who climb its summit to see a two-kilometer wide creater-lake created by the eruptions.
Some entrepreneurs offer boating services on the lake, while others have build spas on the volcanic slopes.
In time for the commemoration of the 20th year since the eruption, Pampanga First district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin filed recently filed House bill 4803 titled “An Act Declaring Mt. Pinatubo a Major Tourism Spot.”
“The Department of Tourism (DOT), together with the private sector, non government organizations and stakeholders shall join hands to create an atmosphere that would encourage investment and the development of a culture of tourism (relative to Mt. Pinatubo),” Lazatin’s bill said.
The bill mandated the DOT to implement projects to boost Mt. Pinatubo tourism from funds to be included in the General Appropriations Act, and adopt rules and regulations and enter into agreements relative to this.
At the same time, this province’s 3rd d district Rep. Aurelio Gonzalez said he expected his House bill 3948 to be passed into law this June, and fully take effect as a non-working holiday every June 15 in Pampanga starting next year.
“The commemoration is a tribute not only to the Kapampangans but to all who braved, toiled and contributed to the collective effort to turn the tide of the natural calamity and save the day for those whose lives, property and future were in great peril,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales had also authored other bills relative to Mt. Pinatubo, including the Bacolor Rehabilitation Law and the conversion of the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trade in Bacolor into a state university – the first in Pampanga – now known as Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University.
Bacolor was the most devastated by Mt. Pinatubo among towns in Pampanga, after almost the entire town vanished under volcanic lahar flows.
“The Memorial Day will give also us the opportunity to pay tribute to those who played a big role in saving Pampanga and other areas from the volcanic tragedy so that future generations will continue to be grateful to them,” Gonzales said.
In Angeles City, the City Tourism Office (ACTO) has scheduled activities that started even last week with a biking activity called “Padyak Para saPag-Bangon” and a fun run dubbed as “Takbo para sa Pag-kakaisa”.
On June 15, Pamintuan will lead in the installation of the Phoenix monument at the intersection towards the city hall in Barangay Pulung Maragul. The mayor has likened his city to a phoenix, a mythical bird that rose from the ashes of its burning.
The final activity on June 18 will consist of the inauguration of the renal care unit at the Ospital ning Angeles for local indigents suffering from kidney failure.
In the City of San Fernando, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez had also lined up festive activities for Mt. Pinatubo Commemoration Week.
The provincial government for its part will start the commemoration of the event with a concelebrated Mass at the San Guillermo parish church of Bacolor town which was buried by lahar flows in 1995.
Gov. Lilia Pineda and former President and current 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the provincial celebrations that include a Pinatubo Run, and a vintage car show at the FVR megadike.
