This week’s milestones: Sept. 27 to Oct. 3

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines installed a historical marker at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet. In its early years, the university began as a farm school in 1916 and pioneered secondary education and agricultural education among indigenous students from the provinces that comprised what is now known as the Cordillera Administrative Region. It was also among the pioneers of reforestation efforts in Baguio and nearby towns. In 1969, it became known as the Mountain State Agricultural College, before adopting its current name, Benguet State University, in 1986.

Sept. 27, 2023

The education ministry of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao turned over an P18.2-million school building to Upi Agricultural School in Upi town, Maguindanao del Norte. The two-story building has 10 classrooms, with each room capable of accommodating 50 students, benefitting a total of 500 college students taking agriculture and related courses. It is the first and the largest structure the school has ever received in its more than a century existence.

Sept. 30, 2000

Masbate was converted from a municipality into a component city in the province of Masbate through a plebiscite that ratified Republic Act No. 8807, which was signed into law by then President Joseph Estrada on Aug. 16, 2000. The area was formerly known as Palanog before it was officially renamed Masbate on Sept. 13, 1851. In 1946, Masbate was declared capital of the province. Today, Masbate is a third-class city with a total population of 104,011, as of the 2024 Census.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: This week’s milestones: Sept. 20 to Sept. 26

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Bugkosan sa Isla Festival (Sept. 18 to Oct. 3)

The Bugkosan sa Isla Festival celebrates the establishment of Dinagat Islands as a province. Launched in 2008, it is now the province’s official cultural festivity and is meant to “bind, unite, merge or gather” people in one place for a common goal and purpose. The festivities serve as thanksgiving for the successful and noteworthy contributions of Dinagatnons in social, cultural, political and other endeavors throughout the year. The 2026 celebration features a lineup of activities, including dance competitions, a music festival, a beauty pageant, a fireworks display, an agrifishery trade fair and many more events.

MassKara Festival (Oct. 1 to Oct. 18)

The MassKara Festival is an annual celebration in Bacolod, the capital city of Negros Occidental, widely known as the “City of Smiles.” Its name means “a multitude of faces,” and was coined by the late artist Ely Santiago from the combination of the words “mass,” referring to a “multitude of people,” and Spanish word “cara,” meaning face. It is also a pun on “maskara,” the Filipino term for “mask.” Unknown to some, the colorful festival was created in 1980 to lift local spirits after a drop in sugar prices, the city’s prime crop, and the tragedy following the collision of MV Don Juan and MT Tacloban. More than 40 years since its inception, the festival has evolved into a major attraction that promotes Bacolod as a destination for visitors. This year’s calendar features various competitions, community activities, sporting events, pageants, food events, concerts and other entertainment.

READ: 1,800 cops to secure MassKara Festival

Dana Gracielle Quirante, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer archives, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com, pna.gov.ph, blgf.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph, officialgazette.gov.ph, tourism.gov.ph, bacolodcity.gov.ph; Masbate City Tourism, PIA Dinagat Islands, and Bugkosan sa Isla-Dinagat Islamazing Facebook pages