Governor Daniel Maramba Leads Inaugural Festivities for New Pangasinan Capitol
On February 10-19, 1919, Governor Daniel Maramba led the inaugural festivities for the new Pangasinan Capitol in the Philippines. The revelry featured an agricultural and industrial fair, a carnival, parades, and a grand coronation ball with a queen and her court. This event marked a significant moment in Pangasinan’s history as the new Capitol symbolized the province’s growth and development.
The Pangasinan Capitol building was designed by American architect Ralph Doane, who also designed the new Capitol building in Manila. Doane’s design for the Pangasinan Capitol drew inspiration from classical architecture, particularly from the Greek and Roman styles. The building’s main façade features a grand portico with fluted columns, a pediment with a bas-relief sculpture, and a central dome that rises above the roofline.
The Capitol building’s grandeur and classical design were meant to convey a sense of power and authority, reflecting the provincial government’s desire to project a sense of legitimacy and permanence. However, the building’s inauguration also represented a moment of hope and optimism for the people of Pangasinan, who saw the Capitol as a symbol of their aspirations for progress and prosperity.
The agricultural and industrial fair held during the festivities showcased the province’s natural resources and economic potential. It included exhibits of various crops, livestock, and products, such as rice, sugar, tobacco, and fish. The fair aimed to promote the development of the province’s agricultural and industrial sectors and to foster trade relations with other provinces and countries.
The carnival and parades were also part of the inaugural festivities, providing entertainment for the people who came to witness the event. The grand coronation ball, featuring a queen and her court, was the highlight of the celebrations. It was a glamorous event attended by the elite of Pangasinan society, including government officials, business leaders, and foreign dignitaries.
The festivities surrounding the Pangasinan Capitol’s inauguration were not just about showcasing the province’s economic and cultural achievements. They also represented a moment of unity and pride for the people of Pangasinan, who had long worked hard to develop their province. The Capitol building itself was a symbol of this progress, as it represented the province’s aspirations for growth and development.
In conclusion, the inaugural festivities for the new Pangasinan Capitol, led by Governor Daniel Maramba, marked a significant moment in the province’s history. The event showcased the province’s economic and cultural achievements, while also representing a moment of hope and optimism for the people of Pangasinan. The Capitol building’s grandeur and classical design conveyed a sense of power and authority, reflecting the provincial government’s desire to project a sense of legitimacy and permanence. However, the building also symbolized the province’s aspirations for progress and prosperity, making it a powerful symbol of unity and pride for the people of Pangasinan.