Sunday, October 04, 2009

Revitalizing Aklan History Society Elects Tolentino Chairman


The Aklan History Society (AHS) is revitalized. It elected lawyer-journalist Ronquillo C. Tolentino chairman in its meeting on September 18, 2009 at the historic Museo it Akean, Kalibo, Aklan.

Ulysses V. Espartero was named Secretary. The Press Relation Officers are Chita Heap, Sumra I. dela Cruz-Rojo, Che Indelible and Joselito Edwin Ramos. Marcela Reyes Tinagan, Mel Reyes Balleza, Anna India dela Cruz Legaspi, Erlinda Sarabia Belayro, SB Member Emmanuel Soviet Russia dela Cruz, Celia R. de Lemos and Edwin Pelayo composed AHS’s trustees.

"This is a dream come true for all of us who want to revitalize the society," said Tolentino.

AHS was founded in 1982 at Kalibo Municipal Library, then situated at the ground floor of Museo it Akean. The first set of officers included Mayor Wilihado C. Regalado (Honorary Chairman)Dr. Beato A. dela Cruz (chairman), Roman A. dela Cruz (Executive Editor) and Capt. Emiliano Y. Fernandez (Secretary). The first trustees included Jose Raz Meñez , Dr. Federico Meñez, Asst. Supt. Jose J. Parco, Mayor Ludovico Peralta and Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino.

Today, the society focuses its attention to the collection and preservation of materials of historical value many of which have been ravaged by Typhoon Frank in June 2008. Intensive researches will be made on Aklan’s history on music, dance, arts and craft, health, family and personalities, foreign influence, food and culinary arts, literary writers (writings), folklore, history, politics, education, language, heroes and martyrs, tourism, land-marks and sights, enter-tainment and sports.

Aklan is home to distinguished Filipinos – Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, First Filipino Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes and Supreme Court Justice Victorino Mapa.

Aklan is also home of Filipinos who distinguished themselves in the fields of journalism, literature and history: Casiano Ureta, Spanish writer; Jose Tansingco Manyas, Aklanon writer; Dioscoro Francisco, editor; Eduardo Martelino, columnist of New York Times and radio commentator; Teodoro "Oyo Torong" Gomez, historian; Leopoldo A. dela Cruz, editor, English and Aklanon writer; Felizardo C. Martelino, poet and freelance writer; Salvador A. dela Cruz, freelance writer; Nick I. Marte, freelance writer; Dioscoro L. Tolentino, journalist; Jerry O. Tirazona, scriptwriter and movie director; and Justo P. Tolentino, journalist and poet laureate.

In point of history, Aklan is believed to be the Philippines’ oldest province. /MP

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