Four distinguished sons of Bago City in Negros Occidental are being featured in a set of commemorative stamps to pay tribute to their legacies that have brought pride to their hometown and the country.
The city government, in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), unveiled the “Great Men of Bago” postage stamps March 4 as part of the city’s 59th Charter anniversary celebration, in a ceremony held at the Bago City Community Center.
Honored through the personalized stamps are Juan Anacleto Torres Araneta, the hero of the Negros Revolution who led the liberation of the island from Spanish oppressors; Ramon Araneta Torres, a former senator and the first secretary of labor and author of the eight-hour labor law; Rafael Montinola Salas, the first head of the United Nations Population Fund; and Arsenio Bonifacio Matti Yulo Jr., the first head of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Araneta, known to the people of Bago as Don Juan or Tan Juan, was a sugar farmer who became a revolutionary leader of the 1898 Negros Revolution, being commemorated every Nov. 5 as a non-working holiday in Negros Occidental.
Torres also became a governor of Negros Occidental, and as the country’s first labor secretary, was known as the Laborite of the Sanest Type for being able to command the respect of labor and capital.
Salas, acknowledged as the creator of the world’s first-ever population program, also served as executive secretary to then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
Yulo, a framer of the 1973 Constitution being a delegate to the 1971 constitutional convention, was appointed by then President Corazon Aquino to become the administrator of the newly-formed SRA.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, both descendants of the four honorees, led the unveiling rites with PHLPost postmaster general and chief executive officer Luis Carlos.
Carlos, along with PHLPost area director Donabel Asuncion, presented the first day cover and stamps to the two city officials.
After the launching, the PHLPost released limited sheets with a total of 1,300 postage stamps at P150 per sheet, and 2,300 commemorative covers.
“Through these postage stamps, the city government honors and commemorates the legacy and service that these sons of Bago have instilled in every Bagonhon,” Yulo, one of the six children of the former SRA head, said in his message.
“We can continue to uphold their contributions in nation-building by embodying their courage and love for our country. Their enduring significance continues to inspire generations of Bagonhons.”
Meanwhile, the vice mayor, the grandson of his namesake honoree, urged his fellow city officials and descendants to keep the tradition of their visionary predecessors alive.
“While times have changed, what these four illustrious Bagonhons have done to the city will be etched in the hearts and minds of the people. For the future generation, they must also be remembered,” Torres said.
Carlos said the personalized stamps honor the Great Men of Bago whose lives and works remain alive and source of inspiration for all Bagonhons.
“The PHLPost will continue to collaborate and support Bago, especially for the progress of the city and its people,” he added.
In 2016, the city government and the PHLPost first collaborated for the release of the 50th Charter Anniversary stamps. | PNA
