Think about it
Random thoughts at the DCNHS alumni night
By Jun Velasco
WE were just discussing his TV program, “Kaagapay,” over UNTV a few weeks back.
On Dec. 29, 2009, we received several text messages from Rotarian friends in Quezon City asking us to join a mass for Dr. Mandy Saquin, past president of a Rotary Club in QC, a victim of the Dengue virus.
What an irony because he was earlier giving us tips on how our Metro Cubao Club should help the DoH in the dengue campaign. Sec. Pingkoy is right. The dengue virus is deadlier than H1n1 (swine flu virus). That a well-heeled physician died on account of the virus should raise the alarm bells against it.
Last year, there was a proposed signing ceremony between Boy Rayos’ Rotary Club, now headed by Mario Lim, and Secretary Pingkoy on a dengue drive. It seems nothing came out of it. District Governor Jess Nicdao, a proposed main signatory, has just turned over the governorship to Oyan Villanueva. Our neighbor columnist Gons Duque almost of dengue-carrying some five years back.
Mandy Saquin’s death from dengue’s deadly claws should prod Rotarians and the whole community to take another look at the deadly virus. It’s right on our doors.
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Even if there is a nagging doubt regarding the holding of the May elections next year, we should commend our countrymen for putting pressure on the Comelec to do its constitutional mandate – hold the elections come hell or high water.
Yes, there are still the No-El partisans among us — in spite of La Gloria’s filing of her COC in Pampanga. We are still hounded by Presidenta’s “sacred” declaration in front of Jose Rizal’s monument she was stepping down from the presidency in 2004.
But the counterfoil should be the millions of Filipinos who expect the Comelec to behave or else.
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The Dagupan City National High School alumni night was, as usual, a moment to remember. In spite of its scanty publicity, about 3,000 alumni came. A stellar guest, congressional bet Gina de Venecia, accompanied by a coterie of campaigners led by sister Chona, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Sotto, Gypsy and Helen Bernardo, was dazzlingly visible in the crowd.
Mayor Al Fernandez, who studied at city high from first to third year, led Class 60 with Perla Elinzano-Legaspi, the class valedictorian.
Gina was not the only non-city high alumna who came; former Mayor Benjie Lim, a graduate of PUI, too. Benjie, who came with congressional bet wife, Celia, joined Manny Roy’s Class 68. Manny says Benjie is an adopted member of his class.
Whispers why Gina was allowed to speak (courtesy of Class 69 alumnus Romy Rosario?) in a non partisan activity were obviously neutralized by Benjie’s leading the march of DCHS Class 68 around the hall.
Manang Celia’s demure ways, Fred Caguioa told us, has charmed many alumni. We’re glad that Fred, chair of the yearly hosting classes committee, did a great speech because it was meaty and short. Ditto with Nelie Reyes and Jun Saluta’s down-to-earth emceeing that conjured high school nostalgia and enduring friendships that transcended private interests.
What we think should be worked out now — by us, city high alumni all — and with vigor, is the completion of the skeletal alumni building, a picture of utter neglect and lack of love for dear Alma Mater. The city government through Mayor Al’s initiative should shame the alumni for taking over with a P2 million budget to finish the laggard alumni house construction.
It looks like beloved Alma Mater (DCHS or DCNHS) has failed to inculcate loyalty on its graduates who only learned to sing the Loyalty Hymn, “Press onward press onward” without believing it because they, the proud graduates, alas and alack, may have marched and pressed onward but have not learned to look back.
To incoming alumni assn. president Maxy Tan, di kaya nakakahiyang ipagawa natin ang ating sariling building sa gobyerno?
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