Goding Ramos’ centennial birth anniversary launched

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Expect a historic celebration next year as Aklanons commemorate the centennial birth anniversary of the late Congressman Godofredo “Goding” Peralta Ramos on November 8, 2011.

Former Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino, chairman of Aklan Historical and Cultural Society, said a number of activities had been lined up to honor the meaningful legacy and works of Ramos, whom the Aklanons called him the “Father of Aklan.”

Ramos, as a legislator, had worked for the passage of Republic Act No. 1414 which was signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956 separating his home province of Aklan from Capiz.

Ramos was also elected Governor of Aklan from 1959 to 1961, delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention and Justice of the Court of Appeals from 1971 to 1976.

By virtue of Proclamation No. 194 signed during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, November 8 of every year is a local holiday throughout the province of Aklan.

Kalibo councillor Emmanuel Soviet Russia Dela Cruz, in his presentation of the activities, stressed that “Tay Goding Ramos has accomplished so much in his lifetime, the services he rendered in different capacities to the people of Aklan has made long lasting imprints in our minds and the history of the province. His personal pursuit, ideals and dreams for freedom, equality and prosperity deserve to be nurtured and preserved for the generations to come.”
“Through the years, Aklan has evolved as the center of numerous historical, political and cultural events. Its rich cultural heritage gives its people a distinct personality; even our language is different from the rest of the island of Panay. Aklan has become the land of enchanting sights, sounds and the home of skilled weavers whom for centuries had produced the world renowned pina cloth,” he said.
Dela Cruz said the centennial anniversary activities undertaken by volunteers, local government units and organizations include series of whole-year round campus tours, visits and symposia across the province to be conducted in different schools.
A 20-minute audio-video presentation, in addition to the reproduction of references and reading materials of the legacy and works of Ramos will be provided for the teachers from Department of Education (Deped).
In concluding the campus tours, the Aklan Historical and Cultural Society will conduct from July to November next year a feature writing contest for students under the theme, ”Who is Godofredo P. Ramos to the Young Akeanon Minds” in cooperation with Deped, print media organizations in Aklan and the Aklan Literary Circle.
A commemorative car plate similar to the University of the Philippines centennial car plate will be distributed to the public, even for Aklanons outside the province. A commemorative centennial stamp will also be launched by the Philippine Postal Corporation to honor the Father of Aklan for his contributions to the development and progress of his home province and the country.
From March to April 2011, the Godofredo P. Ramos Memorial Foundation will also be awarding leadership awards to deserving students during their graduation exercises in collaboration with the local school officials and Deped while a Speech and Communication Skills competition for students will be held by the Aklan Kalantiaw Toastmasters Club.
Also gracing the 99th birthday celebration at the Museo it Aklan were Ramos’ youngest daughter and Aklan Tourism Council chairman Vicky Ramos-Antonino, Kalibo mayor William Lachica, Numancia mayor Adolfo Iligan, Tangalan mayor Gene Fuentes, Kalibo vice mayor Madeleine Regalado, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members Selwyn Ibarreta and Victor Manuel Garcia, former Assemblyman Jose ‘Soning’ Tumbokon, Provincial Administrator Diego Luces, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engr. Roger Esto, former SP member Plaridel Morania and Kalibo councilors Ariel Fernandez, Mark Sy, Nilda Tambong and Arnaldo Tejada, Sr. , relatives and friends of Peralta and Ramos family.