Former National Historical Commission of the Philippines Commissioner and former Center for Tarlaqueño Studies Head Dr. Lino L. Dizon turned over his personal collection of Filipiniana and Tarlaqueñania books to Tarlac State University's Museo-Archivo Tarlaqueno on Tuesday (February 4).
With these books he had been collecting since he started as the CTS coordinator in 1987, Dr. Dizon hopes to help future researchers and students who might have been experiencing difficulties in looking for resources and references when tracing Tarlac's roots and history.
National Library of the Philippines Director Cesar Gilbert Adriano graced the book donation, lauding the Museo-Archivo Tarlaqueño for making room in protecting and popularizing recorded history.
"These original local stories, books, and publications show the diversity of our regents and the lessons we can learn from (them). We at the National Library of the Philippines believe that the collection of Filipiniana books will be beneficial, especially for Tarlac's learning communities, the students, readers, researchers, patrons, and visitors of the Museo-Archivo. Your academic endeavor to promote and conserve Dr. Lino Dizon's collection will surely contribute to the socially conscious Filipino society," Director Adriano said in his speech.
Presently, Director Adriano seeks to strengthen the National Library's campaign this year to make learning resources widely available to residents of different provinces through a partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government in increasing the presence of public libraries with a local history corner in all local government units.
"As a Tarlaqueño, I welcome this proposal by Director Jet Adriano because it can help awaken the interest of our people [in] the importance of history if it is localized, na bawat bayan ay mahalaga kasi bawat bayan ay may kasaysayan. I think 'yun ang kailangang i-work out pa sa aming mga taga Tarlac—a sense of history and sense of place is important para lumago ang pagmamahal sa bayan na nagdudulot ng kasipagan para umunlad ang bawat isa," Public historian Dr. Xiao Chua said in an interview.
Dr. Dizon also mentioned Dr. Chua's efforts in sharing his Filipiniana collection in the Carlos P. Romulo Library in Tarlac and the CTS to advance the Tarlaqueños' knowledge of local history.
The Museo-Archivo Tarlaqueño of TSU under the CTS is one of the few hubs in the province that houses Filipiniana and Tarlaqueñania references, which are mostly donated.
TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco said Dr. Dizon's recent donation, along with the contributions of Prof. Cesar Baroman and Dr. Agapito A. Castro, will provide a richer experience for the students and the community and make the university strive to become a globally competitive university.
"On behalf of the TSU community, we really appreciate your kind [donation] of [this] collection of books. The donation will have a significant impact not only on our university but also on the lives of our students, our faculty, and researchers," Pres. Velasco said. (jlmm-OPA)
