The City Council on Monday recognized the late composer Ms. Fe Tria-Fernandez for her remarkable achievements and valuable contributions to the fields of culture and music in Puerto Princesa.
This is through a resolution authored by all the council members in November this year, just within the same month she died at the age of 90.
A copy of the resolution placed in two wooden frames was read at the session hall by Atty. Philip Jerome Hilario, the secretary to the City Council, and was awarded to the children of Fernandez.
“As a musician, an educator, a historian, an anthropologist and a blue-blooded Palaweña, Ms. Fe Tria-Fernandez was a staunch advocate for the preservation of Palaweño indigenous culture and Cuyono language, as well as the conservation of the Province’s flora and fauna, having published several books about these topics as the foremost expert,” said Atty. Hilario.
Hilario also mentioned reading the resolution that some of Fernandez’s known compositions are the Cuyo Balitaw, Puerto Princesa Mabuhay, Palawan State University (PSU) Hymn, and the Martsa Cuyo.
The resolution also noted Fernandez’s groundbreaking research on Ploning, a Cuyono song that captured national attention after a 2018 film with the same title and plot in Cuyo town, was played by famous Filipina actress, Judy Ann Santos.
Edna Imelda Fernandez-Legazpi, one of the daughters of the late Fe Tria-Fernandez, stated Monday at the session hall they are thankful for this gesture of the Council.
Legazpi said she was also touched hearing the city choir sang the Puerto Princesa Mabuhay before the session has formally started.
She said their parents composed the original version of the piece in English.
“While listening to the choir earlier we were teary-eyed because it is an affirmation of the legacy that our mother has left, and also our father. We are so proud of being called the children of Fe Fernandez and Jose Fernandez. We honor their memory by making sure that their works will be relevant for the future generation and we will continue their legacy by making sure that our present generation and the future generation will continue to sing the songs that they composed from their hearts,” said Legazpi.