“Huwag niyo akong tutularan (Don’t emulate me).” 

This was what Dr. Joselito Delos Reyes of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) advised the participants of the Seminar on Local History held at the Valenzuela City Center for the Performing Arts (VCCPA) Auditorium, February 19. 

Dr. Delos Reyes shared his regrets on not conducting his research about the three skulls found in Barangay Coloong earlier.

“Nagsisisi ako kung bakit hindi ko ito napahalagahan noon, bakit hindi ako nanaliksik, inalam man lang ang katotohanan o ang detalye [ng mas maaga] upang mas lalo pang mabigyan ng kulay ang ating lokal na kasaysayan (I regret why I did not give value to it before, why I did not do my research and seek for the truth [earlier] in order to contribute more in the enrichment of our local history),” Dr. Delos Reyes elaborated. 

Based on his study, the three skulls were actually the remains of the Japanese soldiers who were trying to escape but later was shot by Lieutenant Tomas Harder during the Japanese Occupation. 

Aside from Dr. Delos Reyes, Dr. Jose Victor Z. Torres of the De La Salle University (DLSU), Jonathan Floresca, a student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Jonathan Balsamo, curator of Museo Valenzuela, Dr. Ma. Luisa Camagay of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UP Diliman), and Dr. Evelyn Songco of UST were also invited to share their researches about Valenzuela City and the strategies in collating data and teaching local history. 

Meanwhile, DLSU Prof. Michael Charleston “Xiao” B. Chua emphasized on his speech that every Filipino shall always work together for the country despite the differences in beliefs and perspectives. 

He also pointed-out the purpose and importance of history in the society. “Ang pinaka-goal ng kasaysayan ay ang pag-isahin tayo, yung puso natin, yung kultura natin, para mabuo ang ating bansa (History’s main goal is to unite us, our hearts and our culture to solidify our country),” he said. 

The Seminar on Local History was attended by primary and secondary school teachers, students and history enthusiasts and was part of the 20th Charter Day Celebration of Valenzuela City.