CARD MRI launches first local history book; San Pableños in the limelight
The Philippine-based social development organization, CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), launched on Monday its first local history book, “History of San Pablo: Reviewed, Rewritten, and Retold” at the Museo ng San Pablo, Capitol Compound, San Pablo City, Laguna.
“Back in 1986, it was in San Pablo City where CARD MRI was first established, thus, the focus of our first book project,” said Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, founder and managing director of CARD MRI.
At the onset, according to Dr. Alip, CARD MRI thought of establishing a tour program to capture and share the heritage and culture of San Pablo City. Hence, CARD MRI established “Hijos de San Pablo: Seven Lakes and Beyond Tour” in 2004.
“Years after, with the help of our consultant Maria Karina Garilao and the late Randolf de Jesus, we found it appropriate to put all our discoveries about San Pablo City in a book,” said Dr. Alip adding that they feel ecstatic that finally the first edition is now available.
The book and authors
Six vibrant stories are featured in the book. Nicholas Michael Sy, from Ateneo de Manila, gave light to how the coconut industry supported the development of San Pablo City. Maria Karina Garilao, expert in heritage conservation, on the other hand, wrote about the significant role of women in local society. Dr. Francis Gealogo, associate professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, showed the demographic challenges faced by San Pableños, which affected the profile of the city’s population.
Moreover, Dr. Armando de Jesus, former vice rector for academic affairs of UST, and Cynthia Rivera, former director of UST’s center for cultural studies, focused on the role played by religion in the shaping of San Pablo City history. Rhina Alvero-Boncocan and Eileen Meneses, both assistant professors at UP Los Baños, discussed about money lending, usury, and land ownership in San Pablo City. Finally, Dr. Alip emphasized CARD MRI’s role in the recent past.
The book aims to be a useful reference for students of CARD-MRI Development Institute (CMDI) in Bay, Laguna, and of schools within San Pablo City and nearby towns.
Local history
Dr. Henry Funtetcha, a Filipino historian, said in an online article “local history is expectedly closest to the people’s heart and consciousness because it reflects their own identity, experiences, and aspirations”.
Further, Dr. Gealogo, one of the authors and book editor, commended CARD MRI for publishing a book on local history, as it is one of the best ways of advancing the local community’s sense of identity and self-worth.
Reliance on primary archival historical sources was among the strengths of the book. “San Pablo’s beginning as early as the sixteenth century up to the pre-World War II period have been surveyed and examined,” said Professor Gealogo.
“Though the essays focused on San Pablo City, all of them also discussed these local conditions by discussing the larger contexts on both national and international levels,” he added.
The launching
Dr. Alip personally thanked those who pieced the puzzles together – the late Randolf de Jesus who started the initial research and concept of the book, members of CARD MRI, key figures of San Pablo City, San Pablo City Tourism Office, CARD MRI staff, and the writers and researchers.
“San Pablo City’s history needs to be retold over and over again. I thank CARD MRI for leading this initiative and for keeping the legacy of San Pablo City alive,” lauded San Pablo City Mayor Loreto Amante during the launching. Hon. Amante also urged the public to read the book and be inspired by the city’s historical milestones.
Some of the pioneer clients of CARD MRI, who are San Pableñas, graced the event. Nanay Paz Arcena, 81 years old and member of CARD MRI for more than 25 years now, extended her sincerest appreciation to the institution for having their stories imprinted in the book. “Nakatutuwang isipin na naging parte ang aming mga kuwento sa paglilimbag ng librong ito,” said Nanay Arcena.
Three hundred copies of the book were available at the launching. To all interested, copies of the book are available at the CARD MRI main office in City Subdivision, San Pablo City and at their college campus in Bay, Laguna.
“To better understand yourself, one should first understand his or her roots,” shared Dr. Alip adding that CARD MRI looks forward to publishing more local history books in the future.
Present during the launching were CARD MRI executives, management, staff and clients, officials from the San Pablo City local government, San Pablo City schools, and selected San Pableños.