Argao banks on heritage to perk up the economy
Eyeing the huge potential impact of becoming one of
The town was founded in 1608 and this year, Argaoanons will be celebrating their 400th year founding anniversary this September. In line with this celebration, the town’s tourism officials will be initiating activities aimed at increasing their constituents’ awareness of the town’s culture and tradition.
With the launching of their genealogy research aimed to enable Argaoanons, even those based abroad to trace their roots, Argao Tourism Officer Alex K. Gonzales is optimistic to stir interest and participation from their constituents.
“We hope to reach out to Argaoanons for them to also appreciate the town’s rich history and so they can help in conserving, restoring and promoting our own heritage,” stressed Gonzales.
Also aligned with this vision, a heritage structure restoration and coffee table book will be part of the campaign strategies to be initiated by the tourism commission.
For heritage restoration, Gonzales said that the commission is working on improving two historical structures which are the 200 years old Casa Real and the recently re-discovered hidden heritage called as the Altar de Sacrificio.
The Altar de Sacrificio according to Gonzales is a chapel which in Spanish times was purely delegated as praying station for the souls of unborn and unbaptized children. It has been opened to the public and to tourist last Jan. 23 to 25 during the provincial government’s Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbu Southern Heritage Tour.
Gonzales added that based on their research, the Altar de Sacrificio is older than the town’s church as it dates back to about 230 to 240 years.
Gonzales shared that, “we decided to restore the altar with the help of the provincial government. We made a major decision with the permission of Governor Garcia since the altar was hidden behind the district hospital and we had to demolish the structure.”
The Casa Real on the other hand is the site of the town’s museum and contains a gallery of old and recent photos as well as the family tree of Argao’s old families.
Pushing for the promotion of Argao’s tourism through its rich history, a coffee table book that will document Argao’s history and culture will also be produced, said Gonzales.
The book will be distributed to two audience types, the academe composed of students and teachers, and balikbayans and foreigners.
“The book will be published with a student’s edition to be distributed in schools for compulsory reading so that young ones can better appreciate our history and we will also provide some copies for souvenirs to balikbayans,” said Gonzales.
The book will include winning artworks of the visual arts contest that will be held on the “Historic Argao” town activity this month.
This September in time for the town’s 400th year anniversary celebration, Gonzales is hoping to relieve the past and show the people especially Argaoanons the characteristics of living along the 18th century as they plan to re-decorate their town plaza during the town’s 3rd Pitlagong Festival.
- Latest
- Trending
