First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos receives a copy of Valenzuela City’s coffee table book entitled “Valenzuela: History and Progress” from Mayor Wes Gatchalian. (Photos courtesy: Valenzuela PIO)
MANILA, (PIA) — Valenzuela City marked the culmination of its 400th founding anniversary on Sunday, November 26, 2023 with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos as guest of honor.
The commemorative events included the inauguration of heritage site Casa de Polo, launch of a coffee table book recounting Valenzuela’s journey, and a fashion show paying tribute to the city’s rich culture.
First Lady Marcos unveiled the marker of Casa de Polo, alongside Mayor Wes Gatchalian.
The restored Spanish-era home connects the city’s past to its hopeful future, said Mayor Gatchalian in his welcome remarks.
“Sa ating pagbabalik-tanaw, malugod ko po kayong tinatanggap sa ating selebrasyon ng Valenzuela 400! Sa pamamagitan ng temang ‘kasaysayan at kaunlaran,’ samahan niyo po ako sa paglingon sa aming makulay na nakaraan, nang ang Valenzuela ay isa pa lamang bayan ng agrikultura; pagbubunyi sa aming kasalukuyan, bilang isang hinahangaang, multi-awarded industrial city; at pagtanaw sa aming kinabukasan, bilang isang maunlad na liveable city,” he said.
(Translation: Looking back, I welcome you to our Valenzuela 400 celebration! Through the theme of ‘history and development,’ join me in looking back at our colorful past, when Valenzuela was just an agricultural town; celebrating our present, as an admired, multi-awarded industrial city; and looking to our future, as a prosperous liveable city.)
It can be recalled that from being a quaint municipality, Polo became an independent town on November 12, 1623. Polo then became known as Valenzuela City from Filipino patriot Dr. Pio Valenzuela; it was enjoined with the Metropolitan Manila in 1975, presided over by then Governess and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, and ultimately became a highly urbanized city in 1998.
Related stories:
Valenzuela to mark historic progressive 400th founding anniversary
Feature: Valenzuela City marks 400 Years of rich history and progress
The mayor expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the year-long 400th celebrations with the theme, “History and Progress.”
The coffee table book entitled “Valenzuela: History and Progress” chronicles the transformation of once rural Polo into the vibrant and industrial Valenzuela City that it is today.
A fashion showcase titled “Cultural Night” then highlighted defining eras in the city’s growth using creative designs by Michael Leyva, Robbie Santos, and Daniel Manila.
Meanwhile, attending dignitaries include Senators Grace Poe, Mark Villar, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Director of the National Museum of the Philippines, Mr. Jeremy Barns, city department heads, members of the city council, punong barangays, judges, fiscals, and delegates from Comelec, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Junior Chamber International, among others.
The festivities served to inspire Valenzuelanos to continue building upon 400 years of history, toward greater advancement for the northern metro city. (PIA-NCR)
