04 December 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in Guam commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, by featuring an exhibit entitled, “Andres Bonifacio and the Philippine Revolution – A Timeline”, on Wednesday, November 27 at the Consulate General.
The event was done back-to-back with the opening of the exhibit of the artworks of the University of Guam’s Interior Design students of Professor Mila Moguel, who is an officer of the Guam Filipino Artists.
On behalf of Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin, who was then attending the turnover ceremony of the Guam Government’s donation for the victims of typhoon Yolanda, Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian welcomed the guests and gave a brief background on the significant historical contribution of Andres Bonifacio. Consul Auxilian explained that as the founder of the Katipunan movement during the Spanish colonial era, Andres Bonifacio has been known to many as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution” and is considered as one of the national heroes of the Philippines.
The significant highlight of the celebration was the turnover of books on Andres Bonifacio and the Philippine revolution donated by the Philippine Consulate General and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to the University of Guam (UOG), the Guam Community College (GCC) and the Guam Public Library. Dr. Anita Enriquez, Acting President of the University of Guam, and Mr. Frank Aflague, Program Coordinator of the Guam Public Library, accepted the donation on behalf of their respective institutions. The other books will be turned over to Dr. Ray Somera, Vice-President for Academic Affairs of GCC.
As UOG’s token of appreciation, Dr. Enriquez handed over a certificate of appreciation to the Consulate General and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for the important donation to the history book collection of the University of Guam library. After the turnover ceremony, Consul Maria Paz G. Cortes and Mr. Hermenigildo Moguel, Jr. of the Guam Filipino Artists surprised the guests with the recitation of the poem entitled “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” written by Andres Bonifacio. The poem is considered as probably the best known of all Katipunan texts as this paean to patriotism calls upon the people to rise up and rescue the unhappy motherland from her torment.
The program was then immediately followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibit of the UOG Interior Design students. Professor Mila Moguel of the University of Guam gave a short message and explained her mannequin artwork made of re-cycled fabrics. She also introduced the exhibit of her Interior design students which showcases a collection of paintings made of acrylic and re-cycled materials such as used cans and indigenous materials like dried leaves, sticks, nipa and the like.
Other distinguished guests during the event were Vice Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz of the 32nd Guam Legislature, Mr. Daniel Mc Kay of the University of Guam RFK Library, some professors and students of the University of Guam as well as officers and members of other Filipino associations. Former Senator Nikki Coseteng, who was in Guam for a short visit, also graced the event and viewed the exhibits. END