San Fernando is one of the cities in Pampanga that has remarkable symbolism; from old houses, historical landmarks and other historical sites that showcase a piece of our upbringing culture. There’s a reason why it was designated as the capital of the province. The city, being the capital, paved the way for Pampanga’s tourism to flourish immensely, although its historical localities are greatly underestimated. Locals as well are not acquainted with these historical remains. This is our way of making people fully conscious of these must-visit historical sites that will not only give you a relapse of our fascinating past of why’s and how’s but will also give you a thrilling experience that you’ll forget your bore-to-death historical field trips.
Last September 21, our group visited the San Fernando Railway Station together. We for one wanted to see and absorb the different symbolisms in the municipality of San Fernando.
Opened on February 23, 1892, the station was part of the Manila-Dagupan Line of the Manila Railroad Company. A 125-year-old train station here in our city has come alive as a museum, drawing crowds seeking information about the vital roles it played in history. It was abandoned for 70 years until its revival by local government in 2005. On the 27th of June 1892, Dr. Jose Rizal disembarked at this station to meet the new members of La Liga Filipina from Pampanga and to visit his friends Antonio Consunji, Tiburcio brothers and Cecilio Hilario as was mentioned in his book: “Reminiscences and Travels”.
50 years later, the station served as the ending point for the Bataan Death March.
The following are the symbols found inside the museum and outside along the entrance.
1. Death March Marker
During the era of World War II in 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army had prisoners of war to be marched in one of the ghastliest forced marches in history. This KM 102 mark symbolizes the place of the final stop, San Fernando Railway Station, before being transferred to Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac. They reached here after they painstakingly survived the 102-kilometer march from Mariveles, on the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula, without food and water, and under intense heat. Approximately 60,000 Filipino and American soldiers were ‘loaded like cattle’ into closed boxcars. Tragically, many were smothered to death in the densely packed cars.
2. Rizal Sitting Statue
Rizal’s bronze statue seated on a bench depicts the hero holding a book and a rose. It was said that Rizal would go to Pampanga to pursue a girl named Rosario Joven, hence the rose. A letter is placed in between the pages of the book symbolizing that he was there also for another personal agenda.
3. Ticket to Armistice/ Peace Ticket
The tickets, made by the Japanese troops, were used against the American forces aimed to draw their attention away from the war effort and influence them to surrender or go home. Instructions to surrender include waving a white flag while approaching the opposing troops’ lines, strapped gun faced away and pointed behind the shoulder. The ticket bearer would then be ensured of his life by the Japanese army, the paper serving as a symbol for life guarantee. Despite the agreement, some Americans who gave in were unfairly executed ‘for not surrendering sooner’.
4. Statues of the soldiers
Life-sized statues of Filipino and American soldiers from the Death March wordlessly tell the story of the nightmarish suffering they went through. The statues are seen barely having the strength to stand up, avoiding resting lest they get tortured for doing so.
5. 1892 Mural
Rizal, the date of his arrival in San Fernando, and Governor-General Eulogio Despujol occupy the top space. Under the portraits, it could be noticed from the mural the words La Liga Filipina, Rizal’s progressive organization La Liga Filipina. His organization gave rise to many others, including Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan Movement, which then led to the Philippine Revolution in 1896. Eulogio Despujol was the Spanish general who issued a decree on July 7, 1892, banishing Jose Rizal to Dapitan, Zamboanga. The decree also prohibited the introduction and circulation of all the works of Rizal in the country.
“Tomorrow we will be the citizens of the Philippines, whose destiny will be beautiful because it will be in loving hands…”
-José Rizal
Isagani to Paulita Gomez, “Capitulo XXIV: Sueños”, El Filibusterismo, 1891
Symbols aid the preservation and promotion of one’s culture. Not only does it inform the people of their previous way of life but it also connects them to a rich history. We must continue treating them with their well-deserved honor.
City of San Fernando Tourism Office Contact info
Call (045) 961 5684
http://www.cityofsanfernando.gov.ph
SAN FERNANDO RAILWAY STATION
Sto. Niño, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Daily 8 am to 5 pm
How to Get There
Google Map https://goo.gl/maps/6kwabMfkfBS2
Commute: From SM Pampanga, take a jeep to Palengke [P8.00], get off at Palengke, then take a pedicab or tricycle to San Fernando City Station.
As a bonus, here are more sneak peeks in the museum.
