LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The first-ever celebration of “Agew na Pangasinan” on April 5, features spectacular and historic events that will benefit as well as entertain multitudes of Pangasinenses as the province celebrates its 43oth foundation anniversary.

The celebration will start with a Thanksgiving Mass and will be highlighted by the inauguration and blessing of the newly upgraded Sison Auditorium which is dubbed the Cultural Center of Northern Luzon, and the groundbreaking and inauguration of the Lingayen Eco-Tourism Zone in Barangay Estanza, this town, one of the mega-projects envisioned by Pangasinan Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.

The founding anniversary was the result of almost one-year of painstaking study and research made by a special committee spearheaded by lawyer Gonzalo T. Duque tapped by the governor to search for the exact foundation date of Pangasinan.

Espino earlier said that the event will serve as the mother of all Pangasinan events as he disclosed that this occasion will strengthen the identity of every Pangasinense who deserves to know their point of origin.

During the event, the new provincial seal and historical marker that will depict the year 1580 as the foundation date will be unveiled before the public in the commemorative program prepared by the provincial government.

After this, the inauguration and blessing of the renovated Sison Auditorium will immediately follow, preceded by float and civic parade dubbed “Parada na Dayew Mi.”

In the Talakayan sa Kapitolyo held March 18, Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan said the parade will highlight the pillars of Pangasinan with 13 floats to showcase the timelines in the history of the province.

The 13 floats will represent the following historic eras of Pangasinan: Pre-Spanish period; 1572; 1574; 1580; Revolt against the Spaniards; Casa Real establishment; Pangasinan Katipuneros led by Don Daniel Maramba; 1899 (Phil-American war); 1901 (Taft Commission); 1919 (Inauguration of Capitol building); 1941 (Japanese invasion); 1945 (Landing of General Douglas McArthur); and Golden Era.

The Pangasinan Eco-Tourism Zone project envisioned to establish Pangasinan as a major investment destination, family vacation, and the convention center will also be inaugurated where a groundbreaking will take place.