THE House committee on basic education and culture has passed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to sponsor a national stakeholders' assembly to confer on how best to commemorate the 500th year of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in the country.
The resolution, filed by Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez noted that Magellan's landing on the island of Homonhon in the province of Eastern Samar on March 16, 1521 marked the beginning of a historical period that led to the birth of the Philippine nation.
"It was during this historical period that this archipelago of 7,641 islands was collectively, geographically and politically referred to as 'Filipinas'," Torres-Gomez said.
Torres said the commemoration of Magellan's arrival in the Phippines, which will happen three years from now, or on March 16, 2021, presents an opportunity to fuel unity among Filipinos by recognizing the strengths and resilience of the country's culture.
The event also opens up economic opportunities through tourism, said Torres-Gomez.
The resolution, adopted by the mentioned committee chaired by Cebu 5th Distrcit Representative Ramon Durano VI, is still subject to amendments. (Keith Calayag/VoxPop Philippines)