Think about it
From London with love
By Jun Velasco
LOOSE talks that the vaunted cold war between Speaker Joe de V and Mayor Banjie Lim is thawing should shore up the appeal of former Tapuac Barangay Captain Alfredo Dawana for the two officials to jointly develop a 40-hectare river in Barangays Lucao and Carael and put up much needed housing for some 2,000 residents who practically live in the water.
Just how they dispose of their waste for personal hygiene under the circumstances staggers the imagination!
But salute Apring (Dawana’s nickname), for coming out with a brilliant idea and yes, for not throwing to oblivion this fish-rich community, Sitio Tocok, “safely hidden” from the public view.
There are scanty signs of socio-economic development — graveling of the road – an extension of the newly constructed Dawel-Pantal-Lucao road — and the ongoing construction of a new wing of CSI.
Dawana’s proposal to JDV and BSL, it averred, will surely fast track the city’s marine wealth development. This cannot be ignored by those who mouth Dagupan as the Bangus Capital of the World. Let’s put substance to the monicker.
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In the 80’s, younger brod Noel, better known as Bong to family members and friends, was a deejay in a local FM radio in Dagupan City.
He has developed an American twang that neighbours in Barangay Malued couldn’t believe it was their neighbor they were listening to.
Bong had since lived in London, upon the instigation of sister Mitz, who has been into Shakespeare in drama-plays and in living in UK years ahead of Bong. You who have known Bong should hear his Anglo-Saxon tongue.
Both Mitz and Bong, by the way, work at the London airport but in different companies and miles apart.
* * *
Last week, Bong had a brief meeting with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she made a brief stop in a royal suite shortly before her flight back to the Philippines. The two bantered, when they were introduced by an important British media lady.
Normally the apolitical Bong who is a singer, dancer and deejay on the side also dabbles in art (he would sketch the faces of his office mates). Surely, he has no love lost for politics.
We were surprised last week however to receive from our e-mail this “political account” from London. The e-mail was addressed to nanay.
“Hello there nay and the Velasco family! Fantastic balbalita! Know what? I had a brief, wonderful meeting with President Gloria Arroyo last night! She was in London to meet UK leaders and the Filipino community. My, should I say she was so friendly and accommodating! She made everyone, Pinoys and Pinays who came just to see and greet her very happy. They were all excited. Thanks to my friend VIP friend Anita who was in the hotel where I work. Anita New court is connected with many media companies including a TV station where she has a program. Through her, I was able to shake President Gloria’s hand. We talked.
Anita introduced me to the President. She (Anita) said, ‘Mrs. President, he is from the Philippines,’ and the President smiled warmly, and Anita said, ‘he is well-liked, popular and very efficient’ (humility requires censorship).
I told her, ‘do you know Jun Velasco?’ her eyes brightened and she said, ‘from Dagupan?’ I said, ‘he is my brother.’
She said ‘yeah? Ahh, some let’s have our picture together.’
When we finally waved and said ‘bye’ and ‘kumusta na,’ I was convinced that Gloria is a great president; in my opinion, she is the best leader the Philippines can ever have at this time.
I can’t help being misty-eyed when her PAL plane vanished in the sky which was bound for our country miles and miles away, while my officemates were giggling at my meeting Gloria..
I thought to myself, how can the President, so small and so cute and so friendly who is just like your little sister run a very difficult and complicated government that is full of fighting, intrigues, and violent oppositionists? My thoughts went back to my announcing days in Dagupan during martial law years and Cory Aquino’s administration. How I wished to be in Dagupan again and help President Arroyo because she is a good president. I know it. I feel it. But fate won’t allow and so let me just request our fellow Filipinos to help her. Gloria is a gem, and she needs everybody’s help. Regards and God bless.”
Bong’s letter was unexpurgated except for a few typos, which is understandable.
* * *
Nowhere in the world would you probably see so many local politicians’ faces emblazoned on tarpaulins in every strategic nook and cranny (the more visible the better) of Dagupan City streets.
The practice has gone overboard, mind you, and one wonders if our city officials are so preoccupied with elections they, willy nilly, could lose in the elections because of their penchant to abuse the public’s sensibilities.
These handsome posters mean money, as they will have to pay so much for space, poster materials, time and energy – unless they are using public funds for the cheap gimmick, which is worse. This low blow will be met with negative votes in the elections, we heard.
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