Panitan’s Pagpasidungog 2009
Professionals and ordinary people who contributed fame and honor to the municipality of Panitan, Capiz were honored last August 2009 during the town’s annual celebration. Of the 16 towns in Capiz, Panitan, is probably the unique town in the country that had produced many distinguished personalities. The yearly affair which is in its 53rd year has been managed by college students. Popularly dubbed as the “Home of Professionals”, Panitan under the leadership of its illustrious and beauteous Mayor Katherine “Kit” Dequiña Belo honored the first graduate nurse of the Philippines, Felipa Elecanal de la Peña who successfully graduated in 1909 at the Union Mission Hospital, now Iloilo Mission Hospital. Actually, Nurse Felipa de la Peña of Capagao, Panitan, Capiz was the first nurse-trainee of the Union Mission Hospital in July 1901 as there were no other local girls who were willing to care for the sick and feared the American doctors as “witches”. The endurance, hardship and dedication to the nursing profession by the Paniteño lass inspired other young girls then to join the nursing career after 1909.
Mayor Katherine Dequiña Belo, who was educated at Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and De Paul College, Iloilo City, is very unassuming lady executive. She is married to Engr. Gregorio Belo with whom they have one son, Kevin. She came from the family of politicians, her father Atty. Jorge Dequiña was Panitan mayor for several decades, Dr. Josefina Dorado Dequiña was mayor from 1980-1995. Then Katherine succeeded her mother in 1995 and ran unopposed up to this time. The lady mayor wakes up early in the morning and attends to her daily chores at the Municipal Hall, and the various barangays. Combined with beauty and brain, the compassionate and dynamic lady mayor manages to attend to the needs of her constituents. The 26 barangays in Panitan are already supplied by electric power from Capiz Electric Cooperative (Capelco). Panitan has already climbed the first step of the ladder of industrialization due to the presence of Asia Pacific Aquamarine, Inc. in Timpos, Panitan, where Capelco, NPC and Enervantage are also located. Water needs of these huge corporations are being served by the Metro Roxas Water District.
An officer of the Mayor’s League of Capiz, Mayor Belo has earned the respect of her colleagues by being transparent in all her actuations. During the annual tradition Summer Affairs, the Municipal Mayor and Officials honor parents whose children have all graduated in college. According to NSO Capiz survery, Panitan is considered to be Capiz’s home of professionals. Aside from Nurse Felipa de la Peña, Paniteños honored Judge Stella Dadivas Ferrales of Metro Manila and Marine Deslate Distor, a successful businessman and religious leader in Metro Manila. Since the Pagpasidungog started in 1954, nearly a hundred deserving Paniteños have received their accolade from the town the Spaniards called “peel off” or Panitan. Panitan has been led by many great men and women since Spanish times, they have molded Panitan into what it has become today. Breathtakingly beautiful town, its sights and sounds, its people and history Panitan is truly one of Capiz’s prized gems.