These are some lines of a Pampango song that we sing after the flag ceremony. We sing it everyday but do we know the composer of the song?
With pride, we give you some information about the man behind “Himno Fernandino” who agreed without a second thought, to be featured in our school paper. We find it necessary that every Fernandino must know about this great man, Mr. Geronimo F. del Rosario Sr.
Mr Geronimo F. del Rosario Sr., was born in San Felipe, San Fernando, Pampanga (The Philippines) to Mr. and Mrs. Estanislao C. del Rosario on November 20, 1937. He grew up in Del Pilar where he became a barrio councilor in 1964 and a barrio captain from 1967 to 1968. He also served as a barangay secretary from 1979 to 1995.
Since 1990, he has been the president of the Pampanga Writers Association locally, called “Aguman ding Talasulat Kapampangan” (AGTAKA). He has done literary works which were published and some even won in various competitions. Oftentimes, the sense of fulfillment is enough recognition than the cash awards given to him.
Because of his great passion and love for his town, San Fernando, he was able to create “Himno Fernandino.” This song was made the official hymn of San Fernando as per Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 97, 004, s. 1997.
When he retired as supply officer II from the local government of the City of San Fernando in 2002, he involved himself with several publishing companies such as “Singsing,” “Magsilbi Tamu Balita” of the present administration, “Indung Ibatan” Center for Kapampangan Studies and “Sapni Ng Crisson” where he has served as a contributor or columnist. As a historian, he is the author of the barangay book entitled “Barangay San Felipe, Ating Mana, Ating Pamana.” At present, he is finishing the book about Barangay Del Pilar.
Mr. Del Rosario is also involved in several civic programs and projects in Barangay San Felipe where he has resided since 1997 and other barangays. All his accomplishments were recognized by various organizations.
Here is a list of some of the awards he has received:
1. Most Outstanding Pampanga Government Employee--1983
2. Most outstanding Municipal Employee--1984
3. Most Outstanding Kapampangan in the field of Arts and Culture (Poetry) 1998
4. Distinguished Senior Citizen, Rotary Club of City of San Fernando--2005
5. Certificate of Excellence in Poetry by the United Poets Laureate International at Tai Shan, Shandong, Republic of China--2005
6. Certificate of Merit from United Poets Laureate International in recognition and appreciation of excellence in Poetry for World Brotherhood and Peace, during the 20th World Congress of Poets in Montgomery, Alabama, June 13-17, 2007
He married to the former Norma Canlas with seven children and 13 grandchildren. He wants to dedicate the remaining years of this life as a writer, a historian and a poet to San Fernando, his passion and life. He wrote in his “Himno Fernandino” “Dalangin Ku King Uli Mu Ing Mate Kung Fernandino.”
Next time you sing “Himno Fernandino, sing it with passion and fervor and remember the man behind the song.
|
