Dr. Emiliano F. Dacayanan, a retired graduate school professor at Tarlac College of Technology (now TSU), officially released his second book of poetry, music, and writing about the Santa Ignacia town in Tarlac during his 97th birthday on October 12, 2022.
Dr. Dacayanan's book, "Homey Poems, Selected Articles, and Manuscripts, etc. (Santa Ignacia, Tarlac & Beyond)," is a 20-year collection of his literary pieces, articles, and manuscripts about his hometown.
Like his first book, "Santa Ignacia: Then and Now," his second book was co-published by the TSU Center for Tarlaqueño Studies last 2021 under the leadership of Dr. Lino L. Dizon, former CTS head, now a commissioner of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
During the launching program, Executive Assistant to the TSU President Dr. Brigido B. Corpuz and CTS head Prof. Jose Russell S. Arador formally presented the book on behalf of the university. In a speech, Dr. Corpuz mentioned that Dr. Dacayanan had contributed much to local history through his published books.
"Malaki ang kontribusyon po ni Dr. Dacayanan sa local history kasi 'yung una niyang libro ay local history ng mahal nating bayan na Santa Ignacia, 'Santa Ignacia: Then and Now'. Ang local history po ay kailangan isulat ng mga taga local mismo. Kasi dati, noong unang panahon, ang local history ay isinulat ng mga foreigner gaya nila Antonio Pigafetta na Italyano, ni Frank Russel White na Amerikano; doon na dumating 'yung mga scholar. Pero may mga katutubo tayong scholar, isa na si Dr. Dacayanan na nagsulat ng kasaysayan ng bayan nating Santa Ignacia," Dr. Corpuz said.
"Hindi man tayo makapunta sa Amerika, hindi man tayo maging kasing galing ni Dr. Dacayanan na magaling magsulat, mag-compose ng kanta, sumayaw, magtalumpati, pero pag binasa po natin ang kanyang aklat ay mahahawig na rin tayo sa kanya na isang matalino, makabayan na Pilipino. At malalaman natin ang nangyari sa Pilipinas, sa California (USA), sa Santa Ignacia noon hanggang sa kasalukuyan," he added.
In response, Dr. Dacayanan said in a message that at 97 years old and with all his accomplishments, he is already a "fulfilled man."
"Mahirap naming isinulat ito dahil nawala na 'yung mga dating naisulat ko. Pero yung mga anak ko may naitago pa. Kaya nung sinabi ko na nagsusulat pa ako ng mga tula at poem sa Amerika, hinanap nila 'yung mga iba pang sinulat ko, at sinabi nila na ang kapal na ng libro ko," he said in Ilocano.
Copies of this book will be forwarded to the National Library of the Philippines and several university libraries, such as the TSU and Tarlac Agricultural University libraries, as well as to the University of Hawaii and Yale University, both of which have Asian Studies and Philippine Studies, according to Dr. Corpuz.
Dr. Dacayanan also gave away complimentary copies of his book to guests at the launch.
Aside from his published books, he is also credited for composing the municipal hymn of Santa Ignacia that was approved in 2014 by former town mayor Saklulu B. Enrado and endorsed by then municipal vice president mayor Noel C. Antonio.
Dr. Dacayanan taught at TCT during the presidency of Dr. Dolores Matias. He is an educator, poet, writer, and musician. He also wrote for educational magazines and contributed to the TCT college journal.
