𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: 𝗟𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱’𝘀 𝟳𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The 76th celebration of the Foundation Day of La Trinidad, Benguet gathered the town’s vibrant community from the young to the old as a testament to this year’s theme: “Limitless La Trinidad: Rooted by Heritage, Boundless in Vision.”

Mayor Roderick C. Awingan thanked previous officials stating that the municipality is now enjoying the results of the sacrifices made by previous officials and elders of the community, in making La Trinidad what it is today.

“Looking forward, that is our challenge. In order for us to have a limitless future, the municipality cannot do it alone, we need all of you,” Mayor Awingan said in his speech.

This was echoed by Golden Kayabang Awardee former mayor Artemio Galwan, who honored his predecessors including former mayor Edna Tabanda and the late Nestor Fongwan Sr. as his mentors throughout his term in the valley.

Benguet Rep. Eric Yap said no one can claim that they have singlehandedly changed the municipality for the better, because it is a collective effort.

“The challenge for us is how far will we go to preserve and bring progress to La Trinidad,” Cong. Yap said in his speech.

Guest officials from the town’s sister towns, Rosales in Pangasinan represented by Councilor Christopher Conrad Coloma in lieu of Mayor William Cezar and Mayor Brian Jess Terlaje of the municipality of Yona in Guam, also gave their congratulatory messages to the municipality and hopes for greater collaboration in the future.

Mayor Terlaje said La Trinidad and Yona’s relationship extend beyond the common understanding of indigenous practices of our communities which both honors our ancestors.

“We continue to learn from one another, embracing new opportunities for growth,” Mayor Terlaje said.

Other former officials of the municipality also graced the event including former mayor and now Board Member Romeo Salda, former vice mayors Sammy Esguerra, Joey Marrero, and Josephine Gacad, among others together with current officials from the province led by Gov. Melchor Diclas, which became a reunion of sorts for not only the municipal but provincial officials as well.

Various civic organizations, church leaders who led the ecumenical service, and the community also joined the vibrant cultural celebrations from morning until the afternoon making it a truly community event.

Author & Photographer: 𝘖. 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯

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