PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- Despite the distance, Palaweño continues to honor Princess Eulalia on her 160th birth anniversary by offering flowers every 12th of February.

For five years, JR Palanca Golifardo, a former youth leader, never failed to offer flowers to the statue of Princess Infanta Eulalia de la España.

Even working in Metro Manila, he always makes sure to make others aware of the significance of the day to the local history of Puerto Princesa City.

“Since I am currently in Manila, I managed to order a flower commemorating the 160th birth anniversary of Princess Infanta Eulalia of Spain. Still, no other remembrance was made,” he said.

As a local who has been part of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Golifardo believes in the role of youth in remembering the importance of Princess Eulalia’s birth in the city’s history. He served as Sangguniang Kabataan chairman from 2007 to 2013.

He also expressed his hope that the history will also be shared as a part of tourism promotion with guests coming to Puerto Princesa City.

“Little did we know that before the erection of the memorial marker, it was the place where the Palawan High School was located in 1936 (the only secondary school then) as part of the government centre, not until the outbreak of the Second World War,” he added.

The memorial marker features a statue of the Spanish princess whom Puerto Princesa was named after. It was also built in remembrance of the foundation of the city on March 4, 1872.

The decree of the foundation of Puerto Princesa was proclaimed on the site by Captain Don Jose Sostao, head of the Spanish expedition, according to the city tourism office. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)