Think About it
Meticulously planned
By Jun Velasco
“The aim of education is the wise use of leisure,” Aristotle
OVER dinner at JDV’s 78th birthday celebration at his Forbes Park residence, we couldn’t help admire former President Fidel V. Ramos queuing it out with the rest of the visitors at the food table.
Being beside him, he pointed to a mouth-watering pork as “nagpapabata yan.”
Nagpapabata is a local idiom for dying at a young age due to wrong diet.
FVR was sprightly, regaling us with his formula for fitness.
At 86, he still runs, does calisthenics, plays golf regularly.
In one of our recent meetings, he showed his athletic mien by getting inside his van and jutting his slim body out of the car’s window.
We still keep his little card notes, some humorous, with tips on fitness, mentally and physically.
He sends us regularly copies of his published columns in the Manila Bulletin, Biz News, and others.
FVR loves to counsel health buffs on proper diet (less in meat, more in vegetable and fish and fruits), regular exercise and a healthy, Christian attitude.
He is still super-active as chair of his RPDEV (Ramos Peace and Development Foundation) – his own private firm that continuously undertakes development program for the country.
We believe it’s his being active in public service as plain citizen that makes him physically fit.
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Contrary to rumors, JDV is in great shape, as well. His 78 years age doesn’t show on his baby face, and his jet-setting routine, meeting world presidents and ministers around the globe giving speeches on world peace, governance and the environment is adding years to his life.
His birthday party was attended by hundreds of well-wishers led by FVR, a clear evidence that he is loved by many u p to now. His wife, Congresswoman Gina, continues to inspire him and the Fourth District constituency.
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The December 28 Dagupan City National High School Alumni Night was a knockoout, a slambang success!
The city auditorium had a Hollywood glitter, with a meticulously planned series of songs and dance presentations by the different batches, after which the frolicking alumni had literally the grandest time of their lives.
Careful planning did it, allowing more time for dancing to everyone’s satisfaction.
On top of the show was A-1 organizer Dante, the former DOTC usec, and his brilliant stage director, Macoy Villaroman; they did away with the time-wasting march- around- the hall by every batch, and replacing them with huge screens that put the alumni in clearest focus, expressing their hellos, kumustahan, and expressions of “undying and forever love and friendship.”
Memories and remembrances, indeed, have their uses.
Frolic and fun ruled the evening; Dante’s speech was eloquent in rallying the alumni to continue supporting beloved Alma Mater.
Mayor Belen Fernandez was visibly impressed by the replay of the different eras from the school’s founding in 1945 to the present, all set in music and dance.
She told us “this reunion is the best I have seen!”
She was seconded by Alumni prexy Manny Roy.
An alumnus Dante singled out in his speech was the late Salvador F. Bernal of Class 62.
Badong was our team-mate in the high school student council and the city Varsitarians Association.
Our batchmate, Brenda Mendoza-Manese, couldn’t help exclaim her exhilaration. She texted us the following day to congratulate Dante for “a well-planned event.”
The next batch of Jubilarians led by Ramon Reyna and Rex Catubig of Class 65 is reportedly set to match or surpass the magical 2014 edition.
In her speech, Mayor Belen Fernandez cited the alumni’s multiple support to the city government by being good taxpayers, their contribution to political manpower, donations and civic leadership.
How many alumni have been at city hall? Maybe, majority of the city’s manpower pool, from the city officials to the last laborer has been a DCNHS alumnus.
Well, as they would say “ amor con amor cipaga,” (love begets love).
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We were ushered into a triple birthday party treat by father and sons – Zambales Gov. Jun Ebdane and Iba, Zambales Mayor Randy Ebdane on their joint December 30 birthday, and provincial administrator Omar Ebdane’s December 28 birthday.
Our impromptu trip was made possible by Jun Ebdane’s classmate in civil engineering at the then Luzon Colleges, now University of Luzon, Engr. Ruperto C. Daoana, and our kin, Foofadci founding chair Alfredo Dawana.
Venues were the newly opened Balin Zambales Hotel and a musicfest at the sprawling Zambales Sports Complex.
We were struck by the province’s multiple high jump in infrastructure and socio-economic development that began with Jun Ebdane’s ascent to the Zambales governosrship.
The province would make an interesting before-and-after postcard, to show how a good leader can transform a province or town.
He told us he formed a task force that literally scrubbed off the stench from every edifice, drawing every Zambaleno’s enthusiastic support.
The former DPWH secretary and national PNP chief ran under Sulong Zambales Party and beat former Governor Amor Deloso, a Liberal, in two gubernatorial fights, considered a phenomenon in Zambales politics and public service.
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NOTES: We stand corrected on our last week’s column item on a P15-million outlay from the Dangerous Drugs Board under Secretary Bebot Villar for the Region l Drug Rehab Center.
The correct figures should be P15 million has been released for that facility, and a new P5 million would soon be released after liquidation of the P15 million. That’s a whopping love-gift from the DDB!
Happy New Year!
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