Binalonan Mayor Ramon N. Guico Jr. and Sangguniang Bayan officials, on September 11 paid tribute to Carlos S. Bulosan during the 12th Carlos Bulosan Day celebration held at the Ramon J. Guico Sr. Sports and Civic Center.

Mayor Guico in his message said that Carlos Bulosan is considered as Binalonan and Pangasinan’s literary hero that every Binalonian should be proud of him. Guico added, “Bulosan, who is a celebrated man of letters not only in the country but in the United States, is worth emulating. Binalonians, especially the youth should learn a lesson from the literary icon.”

Chairman of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), Vice Mayor Melicio F. Patague II, commenting on the theme of the celebration “We are the Revolution,” told Binalonians to be like Bulosan, a revolutionist, to effect changes in the society by involving positively in the town’s development and to have concern for other people.

SB Councilors Noel Apolinario Bautista and Glory Jovelyn Manaois, who gave the opening remarks and closing remarks, respectively also expressed their respect and admiration to Bulosan. Both officials urged the Binalonians to be proud of Bulosan, to be their model and inspiration.

Meanwhile, Epifanio San Juan, a writer and cultural critic and the guest speaker during the celebration reminisced the life and works of Bulosan. San Juan expressed his admiration to the municipal officials who gave high regards to Bulosan by initiating annual celebration for the local hero and for declaring September 11 as a local holiday in the town.

Part of this year’s celebration are spoken poetry competition for elementary pupils, on-the- spot painting contest for high school and college students and local history essay writing contest for the barangays of Binalonan.

Still a part of the celebration, a creative documentary film entitled Dapol Tan Payawar na Tayug (The Ashes and Ghosts of Tayug) directed by Christopher Gozum was shown on September 12.

About three thousand college and high school students watched this experimental documentary film which reimagines the life of Pedro Calosa, an agrarian leader and the colorum uprising of farmers in Tayug in 1931.

Veronica Sison, municipal historian and researcher explained the connection of the film to the celebration.

Winners of the poetry reading contest are, third place, Apphia Matalie Tolosa, Grade V pupil of South Central School; second place, Asher May Negrillo, Grade IV of San Felipe Elementary School and the champion is Grade VI pupil Shawin Jewel Berdin of Balangobong –San Pablo Elementary School.

Meanwhile, the winners of the on-the-spot painting contest are, college level-third place, Jovito Marinas, UEP; second place, Fernando Garcia, UEP, and first place, Christian Romero, UEP. For high school- fifth place, Rey Angelo, Sta. Maria ES; fourth place, Heide Bulosan, Juan G. Macaraeg NHS; third place, Sonya Lee of WCC-ATC; second, Cedric Tomamao, Juan G. Macaraeg NHS; and first, Franklin Rivera, Juan G. Macaraeg NHS.

On the local history essay writing contest the winner is from Barangay Sumabnit, Mary Glenda Aradanas of Sumabnit National High School.

Tourism Coordinator Angelica Peregrino, spearheaded the celebration with the assistance of Researchers Veronica Sison and Jessica Tabilin.