NAGA CITY (PIA) – Today we celebrate the legacy this countryman fought for that shed ink for the voiceless and the powerless.

In Camarines Sur, Nagueños commemorate the 160th birth anniversary of a renowned hero, Jose Maria Panganiban, commonly known as JoMaPa, who used his writing bravery to advocate and  call  for reform in the education system during the Spanish time. His writing activism became strong during his stint at La Solidaridad, and the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina.

The event was held at the Naga Central School (NCS).

Selected students of Naga Central School  (NCS) I, headed by  NCSI  Principal Frederick Baldoza perform classic songs and dance numbers during the 160th Jose Maria Panganiban Birth Anniversary on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.   | Photos by Jam Madrid of PIA Camarines Sur

Pegged in local theme, “JOMAPA: Tagapagtanggol ng Dangal ng Pilipino,” the program dedicated for him, commenced in a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies led by Mayor Nelson Legacion, represented by Vice-Mayor Cecilia de Asis, and the Naga City Police Office.

In her speech, de Asis remarked that the life and dedication of Panganiban can be an inspiration to youths of this generation, amid the banes of various influences affecting them such as social media.

“Ini po pagpapagirumdom na sana man su mga ginibo ni JOMAPA para makatamtan ta ang kalayaan na pigtatamasa ngunyan man bako lang pagrekognisa kundi sana maging pamaarugan kan mga Jovenes ta ngunyan [ May the deeds of JOMAPa, which we are commemorating right now, also served as an inspiration, especially to our youths of today],” she said.

Both Vice-Mayor Vice-Mayor Cecilia de Asis and Dr. Cecille Ferro, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Naga City underscored the importance of establishing nationalism and patriotism among the hearts of the younger generation to be able to create a productive and releveant contribution in the country, as what former Jose Maria Panganiban served and exemplified. Photo taken on February 1, 2023 by Jam Madrid/PIA Camarines Sur

She furthered that there is a challenge for educators to provide programs and opportunities which will utilize social media as a platform to make lives of children more productive and nationalistic.

Department of Education Naga City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Cecille Ferro commended the active implementation of the Naga City government in giving honor and recognition to former heroes of the country.

“Incomparable,” Ferro described as to how Naga LGU performed in national commemorations such as this, which supports and make avenues for the DepEd to partner with other government agencies and stakeholders  and instill the heart of patriotism among children.

Students and teachers of NCS, government officials, enforcement agencies, and the National Historical Commission participated in the said event. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)