SUMKEN LATTAN’ LAGUIP
Historical & Cultural Society
Piddig, Ilocos Norte
Its Founding:
The SUMKEN LATTAN’ LAGUIP Historical and Cultural Society of Piddig, Ilocos Norte was founded in 1968 by Mr. & Mrs. No one knows for certain how the Society came to be called. But the name must have been coined by the founders to depict the nostalgic feeling/experience of leaving one’s place and going back t
o it again. The appellation “SUMKEN LATTAN’ LAGUIP” was immortalized in a poem (Ilocano) composed by Don Juan E. It’s about the stirring of a memory and deep yearning of one who has left his town or country to keep coming back to the land of his birth. The Society dedicated itself to the promotion of our local culture and tradition, giving of awards to outstanding Piddigueños who have attained regional, national or international fame and prestige thus bringing honor and pride to our town. It also established a small museum, library and Hall of Fame at the former block tienda at the center of the plaza which was eventually lost to the forces of nature. Its first members included the Who’s Who of Piddig like Hon. Raquiza, Amb. Anastacio Bartolome, Amb. Melchor Aquino, Sol. Oswaldo Agcaoili among other notable personalities that also comprised young professionals (pls. see pictures). With the death of its founders the society went inactive for several years. However, in 1996 a group of history loving Piddigueños – Emmanuel “Willie” Pingol, Mario Tejada, Alice Pingol, Leonardo Foronda, Jr., Aproniano Nicolas, Elpidia Nicolas, Vicente Villaluz, Gina Factor, Jessie John Villaluz, Gliceria Duldulao, and Evangeline Lagasca reactivated the Society and became the incoprorators when it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC approved its registration on the 16th of September 1996 under SEC Reg. No. A199606245. Additional members were enlisted – Rodrigo Luiz, Joaquin Tres Triunfante, Vivian Nicolas, Claribel Clemente, Ma. Theresa Foronda, Arlene Asis, Didee de Leon, Mitzi Olivar, Melvin Crisostomo, Gina Martin, Armand Nicolas, Flordeliza Baltazar, Melody Esteban, Benedict Asis, Ramiceto Pandaraoan, Mirasol Nicolas, Sheila Asis, among others. Meanwhile the Society shifted its focus to doing historical research on our local history and building the awareness of the Piddigueños of their proud past. Through the years, its membership declined when most of its members left to find work in Manila and abroad. Today those who were left behind are doing a revival of the Society because they profoundly believe in its potential to make a big difference in our town. The Society is now enlisting new members and encouraging those interested in our colorful history, culture and the future of our town to join and actively help in whatever way they can to make Piddig a place we all can be proud of. In response to this, a group of retired professionals like Sophia A. Gualta, Aldea Flores, Vicky Silvano, Carolina Cariño, Ariel Esteban and others as well as young college students – Mary Ann Joy Bayan, Jhessca Jacinto, Aileen Viernes, Reina Mandac, Krizel Ildefonso, Maricris Baltazar, Bryan dela Cruz, Stanley Andres, Darren Jay Matute - have decided to join the Society. They too believe that they can make a difference in Piddig. Objectives of the Society:
1. To develop and promote in the Piddigueños a genuine love and appreciation of their history and cultural heritage;
2. To project the historic and revolutionary character of our town;
3. To showcase the culture and tradition of the Ilocos through the establishment of a museum;
4. To conduct researches and studies about Piddig and/or the Ilocos;
5. To give recognition and honor to Piddigueños who have brought fame and honor to their town as well as to immortalize those who fought and gave their lives for the liberation of our country;
6. To give recognition and honor to Piddigueños who have contributed immensely to the promotion of arts, culture and history;
7. To work for the restoration and/or improvement of edifices, structures, and places/sites of historical significance in coordination with concerned agencies and institutions.
8. To promote international goodwill, understanding and cooperation when the opportunity calls for it. The Society was given a Certificate of Accreditation as a non-government organization by the Sangguniang Bayan of Piddig on October 14, 2013. What has the Society done? The Society initiated the first ever commemoration of the historic BASI Revolt of September 16, 1807 in September 1996. The objective of the event was to bring the memory of the rebellion – the defining moment of Piddig – to the collective consciousness of the people of Piddig which was sadly absent. The event featured a parade in the morning depicting the main stages of revolt – oppression under Spanish rule, actual uprising, and public ex*****on of the rebel leaders by hanging in plaza of Vigan, Ilocos Sur – in 3 big floats. The affair culminated with a cultural program in the evening featuring a re-enactment of the BASI Revolt. The commemoration visibly opened the eyes and minds of the people of Piddig about the revolt and was also featured in the Philippine Free Press by Prof. Arnold Azurin of UP who came to witness the event. And to further strengthen the impact of the awareness building process, the Society in collaboration with the Piddigueños International under Atty. Mario Arzadon initiated a move to request the Municpal Officialdom of Piddig to declare September 16 of each year a SPECIAL DAY in Piddig. From then on to date, the town commemorates in fitting ways/activities the historic BASI Revolt. A couple of years later, the Society again initiated the commemoration of another historical event that occurred in our town – the Founding of the 15th Infantry. This guerilla outfit was founded in Piddig, Ilocos Norte in October 25, 1944 and was formally launched December 3, 1944. By integrating all guerilla fighting units under a unified command it evolved to become the major resistance force that helped liberate Northern Luzon from Japanese occupation. The Society likewise did a research on the Katipunan movement in Piddig and was able to identify 19 Katipuneros of various shades. Meanwhile the Society continues to conduct researches about our town’s history, culture, and traditions and hopefully will be able to provide a clearer picture of its vast potential which we can harness to make Piddig a town we all can be proud of. What the Society plans to do:
1. To install historical markers to places/sites structures of historical significance to identify them in collaboration with concerned government agencies;
2. To produce an easy-to-read pamphlet about our town, its history and culture for students and the general public;
3. To make improvements on existing shrines/memorials such as the Don Claro Caluya Memorial, 15th Infantry memorial and the Basi Revolt;
4. To help showcase the tourism potential of Piddig;
5. To establish a museum in cooperation with concerned government agencies. Who can be a member of the Society:
Any Piddigueño, either by birth, affinity or consanguinity, who has a genuine love for his/her town Piddig and who is willing to make a difference in it. Current Officers (interim):
President – Emmanuel “Willie” A. Pingol
Vice President – Mario T. Tejada
Secretary – Evangeline L. Gulla
Asst. Secretary – Aldea L. Flores
Treasurer – Leonardo M. Foronda, Jr. Asst. Treasurer – Mary Ann Joy Bayan
Auditor – Maribelle M. Manzano
P I O – Carolina E. Cariño
