The traditional annual wreath laying ceremonies to commemorate his courage and heroism was held before the Triumvirate Monument at the City Hall grounds on July 11, Dr. Pio’s exact date of birth.  Joining Mayor REX Gatchalian and the city officials are the Valenzuela clan led by University of the Philippines Press Deputy Director, Prof. Gerardo T. Los Baños, and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar as guest of honor.

 

Education has been the overlying motif of the day as the annual recognition of the generous donors of the Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholarship Program was made part of the program.  In 2017, more than Php 200,000 was collected from more than 100 organizations and individuals.  Since 2016, in lieu of costly wreaths, attendees are encouraged instead to donate to the scholarship fund.  The initiative has been constantly generating an average of Php 200,000 additional fund anually for the college scholarship of deserving Valenzuelanos.

 

Another highlight of the program is the turnover of the “De-Kalidad na Edukasyon: Tuloy-tuloy ang Asenso! College Admission Test Reviewer for Valenzuelano Students” to the Deparment of Education - Valenzuela through Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Benjamin Samson and senior high school students from Malinta National High School and Valenzuela School of Mathermatics High School.  The kits was developed by the local government in partnership with leading review center, MSA Academic Advancement Institute.  These tester kits will be available for free to every graduating public senior high school students to prepare them for college and university admission examinations.   

 

Mayor REX Gatchalian addressed the crowd by saying that the Valenzuela students’ track record is already incomparable, the city government just have to nurture those talents and capabilities. “Along with the infrastructure programs of the government in strengthening the education system in the city, we are also investing on the software part of the program to fully unlock the potentials of our Valenzuelano students,” the local chief executive added.  

 

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar commended the city government for keeping the passion and fervor of Dr. Pio alive through programs and projects that are highly beneficial to the people of Valenzuela City.  The national government’s communications secretary highlighted the roles of the local government units in promoting the historical lives of our nation’s hero. “We can be heroes even in the ordinary perspective of every day life, and like these heroes, we offer public service to a cause greater than ourselves”, he said.

 

Andanar also highlighted the revolutionary programs of the national government in delivering up to date and effective news and information.  Dubbed as the Government Satellite Network (GSN), PCOO plans to adapt satellite programs for immediate notifications regarding impending disasters, as well as to modernize the government’s nationwide network of television, radio and print for the dissemination of data and information from all the government offices, including a variety of social media aplications that are now readily available on mobile phones through the internet.

 

Highlighting the second part of the day’s activity with the guest of honor is the announcement of the new name of the Eduardo Castrillo scuplture which was formerly called “The Humane Communication”.

The sculpture was originally the centerpiece of the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) building in Arroceros, Manila.  It was moved to the Radyo ng Bayan compound in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City in 1982, and has since then suffered disintegration due to neglect.    With the approval of the PCOO, through Secretary Andanar, the City restored and transfered it to the new PLV campus. The restored sculpture was unveiled to public view during the campus’ inauguration on January 19, 2018.

 

Earlier this year, the PLV called for a search to name the new symbol of pride and identity of the PLVians, and the institution’s commitment to excellent quality education.  Out of 221 entries submitted, one entry stood out to the judges composed of PLV President, Dr. Nedeña Torralba; City Museum Curator and Historian, Mr. Jonathan Balsamo; historian and professor, Mr. Xiao Chua; Mr. Eduardo Castrillo’s daughter, Ms, Ovvian Castrillo-Hill; University of Santo Tomas Literature Department Chairman, Dr. Joselito Delos Reyes, and Valenzuela City’s Community Affairs Office Head, Ms. Elizabeth Chongco.

 

Back to its former glory, the sculpture of two human figure from henceforth, shall be known sa “Suhay Husay”, two words which translate literally as “support” and “excellence”.  

 

The sole winner who received a cash prize of PhP 10,000 is Mr. Ian Formacion, an alumnus and now a faculty member of the university.