CL landmarks part of 500-day countdown to Quincentennial celeb

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Central Luzon landmarks will be lighted on December 14, 2019 for the 500-day countdown to the Quincentennial celebration in 2021.

Among those joining a total of 21 sites nationwide include the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan; Barasoain Church in Malolos City and Jose Abad Santos monument in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

“Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Cebu will be the main site of the countdown. There will be similar programs at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila and Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity in Davao,” Tourism Undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr. disclosed during Tuesday’s Luzon Stakeholders’Meeting held at the Heroes Hall, City of San Fer nando.

“The 21 sites represent various periods in our history from the time of LapuLapu to Spanish colonization, American occupation, and Second World War,” he added.

In 2021, the country marks the 500thanniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world, introduction of Christianity in the Philippines and Victory at Mactan.

The National Quincentennial Committee identified the Battle of Mactan as the primary event of the celebration that is slated on April 27, 2021.

Other events lined up include a oneyear countdown on April 27, 2020 and a 100-day countdown in January 2021.

“We are holding a National Songwriting Competition and we shall open in 2021 the Museum of Philippine Early History in Butuan City. Pre-colonial history will likewise be the theme of the Philippine pavilion at the 2020 Dubai Expo,” the official furthered.

The country will also be hosting the 7th International Conference of the International Council on Historical and Cultural Cooperation-Southeast Asia and the International Conference on the Philippine Part of the First Circumnavigation of the World.— CLJD/ MJSD-PIA 3