Bundok Philippines

News

May 5, 1998

CENTENNIAL TREK ON THE TRAIL OF HEROES

The Centennial Trek was envisioned to reflect on the experiences of President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and the members of his Cabinet as they held free from foreign domination the first government of the Republic of the Philippines and on the fervor of their nationalism which gave them the strength to overcome the risks and hazards of the trail. It also served as a means to bring out the sense of nationalism in the celebration of the Centennial year of our Independence at the grassroots level by making the people along the trail aware of the role played by their fathers, mothers and compatriots in the survival of the first Filipino government.

Observations within the framework of Eco-tourism were made on the Historical, Social and Cultural aspects of the trail.

The project was funded by Ayala Corporation and the Philippine Centennial Commission.

The Department of Tourism provided the valuable coordination with the different local government units and mass media coverage.

The historical basis of the Centennial Trek was derived primarily from the National Historical Institute-authenticated English version of the diaries of Dr. Simeon Villa and Dr. Santiago Bartolome entitled "Aguinaldo's Odyssey", published in 1963.

Plaques of National Appreciation were awarded to the people of towns, rancherias, sitios, barrios along the trail who "...one hundred years ago provided aid and comfort to President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his Cabinet as they held the first Philippine Government free from the invading Armed Forces of the United States of America": signed by Hon. Salvador H. Laurel, Chairman of the Philippine Centennial Commission, Hon. Mina T. Gabor of the Department of Tourism and Mr. Ruben Mallari of the Ayala Mountaineers Club, Inc.

The trail which covered eight provinces, three regions, and two major mountain ranges-the Cordillera and the Sierra Madre connecting the China Sea to the Pacific Ocean was divided into four legs. Each leg was headed by the following:

1st Leg - Bayambang, Pangasinan to Sagada, Mt. Province.
                Team Leader - MR. EMMANUEL TORRALBA
2nd Leg - Sagada, Mt. Province to Ramon, Isabela
                Team Leader - MR. JOSELITO DE GUZMAN
3rd Leg - Ramon, Isabela through , Kalinga to Ilagan, Isabela
                Team Leader - MR. ELI COYOCA
4th Leg - Ilagan, Isabela to Palanan, Isabela
               Team Leader - MR. WILFREDO NUESA

Submitted by Mr. Eli Coyoca <ellcoy@i-next.net>