By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
SILAY and Manila are now “twin cities”. Their twinning pact was inked on Sept. 19, 2022.
What’s the bearing then? What do they have in common? What are the possible benefits?
Let’s simplify things with essence and relevance.
Silay is one of the 13 component cities in Negros Occidental. Manila, on the other hand, is the country’s capital.
Silay’s Mayor Joedith Gallego and Manila’s Mayor Honey Lacuna, my impeachable source said, are not so popular political figures.
Maybe, “silent type” is the most appropriate adjective/ noun to describe both. They prefer action than recognition.
Mayor Joedith is the very first mayor of Silay who’s not landed (haciendero).But people’s love and genuine support catapulted him to power, causing notable upset in the province’s political history.
Mayor Lacuna, on the other hand, is a medical doctor by profession but was “overshadowed” before by her predecessor – the “ever-popular” Isko Moreno. That’s why the “middlemen” in this twinning venture (who were also Silaynons now living in Manila) were convinced that both Silay and Manila are really “swak” to be twin cities.
‘FRUITS OF GOODNESS’
Besides, the main drives of the twinning bid were (1) to develop and encourage greater friendly relationship between the two cities, and (2) to have better understanding thru exchange of the following:
* culture
* education
* studies in commercial, industrial and agricultural fields
* information covering areas of government administration, community development, basic and infrastructure services to the residents
Great! And Mayor Joedith, in an interview, confided that such a twinning relationship already started to bear “fruits of goodness”.
Just recently, the Manila City Government, he said, helped them solve a land dispute in one of the subdivisions in Silay.
Moreover, Mayor Joedith disclosed that the Manila City Government will also help promote Silay’s coastal gems as well as their upland tourist spots in Guimbala-on and Patag areas.
Silay’s best food and native products will also be highly endorsed among Manileňos, and vice versa.
HERITAGE PARAGON
But what captured my interest is the nub of this twinning rapport: for heritage’s sake!
Silay, dubbed as the “Little Paris of Negros”, is known for its historical-slash-heritage sites. Her famous “Balay Negrense”-turned-museum remains captivating. And such stands still as a living testament of the “hamungaya nga pangabuhi” of the sugar barons in Negros sometime in the 19th century.
The city’s “Al Cinco de Noviembre” Mark Point is also a proof of the indelible Negros history on how Negrense heroes – Generals Anecito Lacson (from Silay City) and Juan Araneta (from Bago City) bluffed the Spanish colonial forces to surrender on November 5, 1898 or exactly 124 years today.
The San Diego Pro Cathedral with a cupola or dome is also in the list of Silay’s heritage paragon.
Then, there’s this proposed Negros War and Peace Museum (NWPM) to be erected in the mountain of Patag, the site where the Japanese Imperial Army once hid and established a tunnel/hideout during the World War II. This NWPM will be an interactive museum that will house memorabilia of four wars in Negros.
Then, enter Manila’s “Walled City” – Intramuros. History-wise, Intramuros is known as the center of Spanish occupation in the Philippines.
Too, Manila is “boasting” other historical landmarks such as Fort Santiago, Rizal Park at Luneta, San Agustin Church, and the Manila Cathedral, among others.
‘NOBLEST CHORE’
With such a distinctive advocacy (for heritage’s sake) underlying in this twinning relationship, I can’t help but salute to both Mayor Joedith and Mayor Lacuna.
Valuing heritage conservation is one “noblest chore”. It’s beyond politics. Such a mission will bring both Silay and Manila to a greater dimension.
Amidst identity-based conflicts clouding heritage conservation around the world, Mayor Joedith and Mayor Lacuna are brave enough to weather whatever challenges will confront them for the sake of heritage in their cities.
Even so, investing in heritage preservation will also spell economic benefits in the offing. Because heritage conservation per se can lead to higher property values and increased tax revenues, thus, more jobs in the future.
Even French business magnate Bernard Jean Etienne Arnault stressed, “In the luxury of business, you have to build in heritage.”
So, with all these concepts and real intentions about heritage conservation, no doubt, Silay, like Manila, will soon have revitalized neighborhoods and economic growth.
And, perhaps, the “beauty” here is: Silay’s and Manila’s twinning accord will certainly be Mayor Joedith’s and Mayor Honey’s add-on “heritage-cum-legacy” for Silaynons and Manileños./PN
