The Bayambang Cultural Mapping Project initiated by Bayambang National High School through faculty member and film director Christopher Gozum in collaboration with LGU-Bayambang and the Center for Pangasinan Studies had a Culminating Activity at the Municipal Library and Balon Bayambang Events Center on October 11.

In her inspirational message, Municipal Administrator – Anti-Poverty Office Atty. Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino-Vidad likened cultural mapping to an act of discovery toward personal self-awareness. Without a clear knowledge of oneself, it is hard to ‘diagnose’ what exactly ails a person and how best to plan his or her ‘treatment,’ she said. This is similar to approaching the development of a town like Bayambang, especially in view of its ongoing Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan, she said.

The activity featured a presentation of the most outstanding outputs made by the students who served as the pioneering cultural mappers for the project. Each work was validated and judged by Center for Pangasinan Studies resource persons Nicanor D.V. Germono Jr. and Joselito Torio, Bayambang Municipal Council for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Januario Cuchapin, Municipal Librarian Leonarda Allado, and Public Information Officer Resty S. Odon. LGU Consultant on Culture and Arts Gloria de Vera-Valenzuela, former Pangasinan State University-Bayambang dean Dr. Clarita Jimenez, and Dr. Nicolas Miguel gave valuable critiques and inputs.

For the first time, Gozum’s internationally acclaimed film “Dapol tan Payawar na Tayug 1931” (“The Ashes and Ghosts of Tayug 1931”) was screened in the director’s hometown as a way of capping the event. Members of the audience included BNHS Principal Mary Ann J. Payomo, other BNHS officials and faculty members, PSU’s retired professors, and others.

The winning cultural mapping presentations are as follows: In the individual category, the first place went to Mari Jonette T. Frias for her comprehensive work on the historic PNR site (Estacion na Tren), the second place to Bonifacio C. Manzano for researching on gilinga’y mais (stone corn grinder), and the third place to Jeric S. Manuel for working on the indigenous ‘Mugen’ rice variety. The winners notably had minuscule differences in their scores.

In the group category, the first place went to STEM Genesis for their video clip featuring District 3, the second place to STEM Genesis for their ‘Balikas na Dalin’ brochure, and the third place went to HUMMS Psalms for their feature on District 9.

According to the LGU’s Senior Tourism Operations Officer Rafale Saygo, the winners stood to receive P2,500 (1st), P1,500 (2nd), and P1,000 (3rd) respectively.

The Culminating Activity gave a sense of completion to the project and its proponents, but the students’ work will continue until all the most significant items have been properly mapped.

The Bayambang Cultural Mapping Project will lay the groundwork for the planned Balon Bayambang Museum and may even serve as basis for future legislation in relation to the protection, conservation, development, and promotion of culture and arts in Bayambang.