Lugar Lang, Nong! Exploring the Streets of Roxas City by Aaliaa Srishti Sharma

Image from Wikimedia Commons 

Our streets are more than just routes we pass by every day; they are silent witnesses of tales that shaped our history. In this essay, let’s join Lin-ay sang Capiz 2024 Aaliaa Srishti Sharma as she explores the streets of Roxas City and learns its rich history and heritage. 

 Jovita Fuentes Street

 “Diin ka ga?” inquired the antsy tricycle driver in a hurry, as the stalling seemed to have caused quite the traffic behind him. “Jovita Fuentes St. nong.” I replied. “Diin ina ga?” he asked in confusion as he seemed to be subconsciously double-checking the map of the city roads embedded in his mind. “Sa may City Health nong!” As we began to journey to my destination, the thought of the absence of knowing where the street was got me thinking if there was an absence of knowing who it was as well. 

 A name synonymous with Philippine music, Jovita Fuentes was a renowned opera singer, educator, and cultural ambassador who made significant contributions to the development of music in the Philippines. Born in a quaint town previously called Capiz, now renamed Roxas City, situated in the Province of Capiz, 

Jovita Fuentes grew up in a home brimming with music. Both her parents were musically inclined, thus, Jovita starting singing at a young age and showing exceptional talent does not come as a surprise. She had undergone formal training in music, honing her skills in opera singing and then eventually finding herself as a teacher for voice at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music. Jovita then left to venture to Italy to expand her training under some of the more prominent voice teachers in Italy, such as Arturo Cadore and Luigi Lucenti. She commenced her international debut as Cio Cio San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly which put Philippine talent on the map. 

 Jovita Fuentes had a long and illustrious career as an opera singer, performing in various parts of the world. Her performances  were well-received, and she was hailed as the "Queen of Philippine Opera” and dubbed the First Filipino  international star. In 1958, she was awarded the Republic Cultural Heritage Award for her contributions to the development of Philippine music. An instrument in promoting Western classical music in the Philippines and encouraging young musicians to pursue careers in music, she also helped establish the Philippine Opera Company, which aimed to promote opera in the country. Her legacy continues to inspire young musicians, and she is considered a trailblazer in her field.

Lapu-Lapu Street

As my footsteps made their way down the dusty cement paved road, named after one of the most significant figures of Filipino music, my thoughts began to wander. Reflections of my mundane experiences from the week before creep into my consciousness, so I decided to take a walk by the Panay river to clear my head. I end up on a long narrow alleyway-like street, with tree branches arched over; shading the pavement that borders the bank. “Lapu-Lapu Street” the sign states. Named after the legendary warrior, known and celebrated for his pivotal role in the early revolt against the Spanish invasion, specifically during the battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521. The Spanish were led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Lapu-Lapu was a Datu or Chieftain on the island of Mactan. The Datu played a crucial role in governing, protecting, maintaining peace and order, resolving disputes, and leading their people in times of war. Lapu-Lapu's bravery and strength managed to branch out its effects in various ways which created the foundation of the Filipino society we know today. His bravery and leadership became a symbol of true nationalism as his success was an inspiration. 

for sovereignty. The battle is also significant in Philippine history because it highlighted the native resilience and dignity. Statues, streets, and cities are named to commemorate his legacy. 

Roxas Avenue

The day then began to darken as clouds nest on the barrier between the bustling after-office-hour traffic and the evening sky. I stick  my arm out to call a tricycle to take me home before the light of the street lamps outshines what is left of the sun. We make our way to the heart of the city, the plaza, where the driver stops to pick up another passenger. “Unitop nong sa Roxas Avenue” she says. She then gets on the seat behind the driver and we continue. 

Roxas Avenue was named after the fifth president of the Philippines, Manuel Roxas. Serving from 1946 until his death in 1948, he was the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines, after the country was granted its independence from the United States on July 4, 1946. Roxas was born on January 1, 1892, in Capiz, Philippines. His presidency was a turning point for the Philippines as a nation due to the focus on the transition to independence and its post-war reconstruction and development. He showed strong leadership in paving the way for a brighter future. Manuel Roxas not only implemented the Philippine Military Academy to strengthen the Philippine military, but social and economic reforms as well. These social and economic reforms aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos, specifically the Agricultural Tenancy Act, which gave tenant farmers the right to own the land they tilled, and the Labor Code of 1947, which provided for the protection of workers' rights. To think that the president of the country could come from a small town in the centre of an island that was mainly known for its fishery and seafood exportation. 

I now find myself back home, reflecting on the adventures of the day and the streets I have happened to stumble upon. It was almost as if each step I took was a whisper from the past. I’ve now learned just how integral streets are to our cities, towns, and communities. They are not only the pathways that connect us to our homes, families, and favourite places, but also to our history. The legacies we keep alive by naming our streets after them are gestures that echo gratitude for the foundation they worked so hard to build for us. Put simply, they walked so that we could run.

Meet the Writer

Aaliaa Srishti Sharma is a BS Psychology student at Filamer Christian University. She is also a digital entrepreneur, performer, dance teacher, and children’s book illustrator. She was crowned Miss Filamer in 2023 and Lin-ay sang Capiz in 2024.