Developing Pangasinan Identity through Cultural Governance

Abstract

Cultural governance is defined as a government’s direct or indirect involvement in the promotion and administration of programs related to culture and heritage. Cultural renaissance emerged in Pangasinan in 2007, when the provincial government initiated efforts to develop a comprehensive program to instil consciousness among the Pangasinenses of their illustrious heritage. This qualitative research discusses the programs, projects and mechanisms of the provincial government of Pangasinan in ensuring the sustainability of cultural governance. It further describes how cultural governance develops the Pangasinan identity. Data were gathered from officials of the province through in-depth interview and documentary analysis as well as other stakeholders in the cultural scene of the province. Laying the foundation for the mainstreaming of cultural governance in the province is the establishment of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) in 2010. Its inaugural work was the correction of the founding date of Pangasinan to April 5, 1580 as well as the re-writing of a complete and accurate history of Pangasinan through the book Pinablin Dalin (Beloved Land) in 2015. It spearheads the effort to include in the curricula of elementary and secondary schools the history of the province. Moreover, mother tongue usage and education is standardized by the provincial government through the release of Panuntunan na Ortograpiya ed Salitan Pangasinan (Primer on Pangasinan Ortography), the very first of its own in the country. Mainstreaming native literature gems and honing local Shakespeares is Kurit Palunggaring, the provincial equivalent of the Carlos Palanca Awards, matched with an anthology book of the same name compiling the winning masterpieces penned in 2015. To popularize Pangasinan music and dances, the annual inter-municipal culture and arts festival Balitok A Taoir: Official Pangasinan Culture and Arts Festival has been mounted since 2011. The employees of the provincial government take the lead in promoting Pangasinan culture through the Danggoan Pangasinan Cultural Group and the Pangasinan Provincial Chorale. Through cultural governance, the Pangasinenses are able to develop their identity and renew their collective commitment to the noble cause of instilling a deep sense of consciousness on the heritage of the province.