DAVAO CITY — The people of Basilan Province celebrated its 49th Founding Anniversary via face to face after three-year lull due to the pandemic.
Residents from the whole province met during the celebration of its colorful history, arts and diverse culture during the Cultural Night last Sunday, March 5, at the gymnasium of the government center in Sta. Clara, Lamitan City.
The event was participated in by cultural performers from Isabela City and 11 municipalities. Lamitan City, being the event’s Hall of Famer for having been declared champion for three consecutive years, opted not to join this year.
Governor Jim Salliman led the celebration. In his message during the Cultural Night, the Governor urged everyone to pay tribute of Basilan’s cultural heritage during the province’s founding anniversary or Araw ng Basilan, stressing that a place without history will never reach anywhere, a place without history has no identity of its own.
“Ang bawat lugar kung walang kasaysayan wala po itong pagtutunguhan at kung wala syang kasaysayan wala po siyang identity,” Salliman said, adding that Basilan’s diversity is evident in the people’s respect for each other, regardless of their faiths and traditions– the benchmark of unity, cooperation.
” Gusto ko sanang ipamahagi sa inyo sa matagal na panahon, sa matagal na pakikibaka, sa matagal na gusto nating pagbabago sa ating lipunan, particularly sa ating provincia sa dami ng problema na nakaharap natin for 49 years, significantly at masaya tayo nagiging mapayapa tayo para sabihing taga Basilan tayo dahil doon sa contributions ng bawat isa,” the governor said in Filipino.
According to him, Basilan has long been known for its leaders with integrity and respect, and everyone has contributed to establishing good governance in the province.
“Sa mga susunod na taon, alam ko kung ilan sa mga leaders na ito ang patuloy pa rin magiging leaders ng ating provincia at alam ko naging bahagi natin sila sa kasaysayan kung paano natin hinubog, kung ano yung Basilan ngayon kasama parin sila sa mga susunod na taon, susunod na panahon kung paano po natin hubugin ng panibago at magkaroon ng mataas na level ng integridad ang ating provincia,” he added.
Salliman expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all Basileños, especially the provincial government workers for being supportive of his administration despite the many challenges from cocolisap infestation, extremism, and now the Pestalotiopsis in rubber plantations, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Marami tayong mga pinagdaanan at marami rin tayong mga criticism na inabot sa mga panahon na yon. Subalit, dahil tama tayo, ngayon nagcelebrate tayo ng anniversary,” he said, citing Basilan’s resilience to overcome the pandemic.
The 49th Founding Anniversary of Basilan on Tuesday, March 7, will serve as a thanksgiving day for Basileños for overcoming the pandemic, according to Salliman. He thanked the security forces for their successful war on violent extremism and the implementation of Covid-19 protocols, most especially to the divine intervention for saving the province from the pandemic.
“Ang Tennun Pakaradjaan po ay isang identity ng Basilan hinde lamang para sa yakan. It is a symbol of Basilan struggle and narrative, strength and perseverance amidst all adversities that will be handed down to the generations to come,” Gov. Salliman said even as he promised a grand golden anniversary next year.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Maluso was adjudged this year’s champion in story concept, followed by Isabela City and the Municipality of Tuburan, third.
Provincial Budget Officer Intan Gordana Abubakar, who chaired the Cultural Night Committee, thanked all the participants from the different LGUs and the security sector as well. (Richard G.Falcatan)
