Think about it
Benjie sings like a pro
By Jun Velasco
CHRISTMAS time in Dagupan is unbeatable. Where would you find, for instance, a city with almost a month-long table of frolicsome activities? City Mayor Benjie Lim is tailor-cut for the city’s Yule season because he is a fabulous singer, and everyone who sees and listens to him is in a quandary as to what talent he is fittest and most at home with — public service or singing?
At the media night which we missed and the city fiesta and the city high night, the singing mayor was the cynosure of eyes and ohs and ahs, because as art aficionado Ernie Siapno would find to his utter delight, “Mayor Benjie sings like a pro.”
Somebody said it was his musical gift that dashed the reelection bid of popular Al Fernandez, Benjie’s mentor in Jaycee politics and senior in Dagupan politics. Not money power, not the so-called Bolosan incident. When we put forward this casual analysis to those who heard and saw him in these Yule nights at the city plaza, they all said, “you are right.”
Now in his late 50’s, Benjie would make a wisecrack whenever he is with the Bossings Band, “we’re trying to croon here in preparation for a post government service job.”
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Former Councilor Boy Rayos reported yesterday that Pantal and Bonuan fisherfolk told him with moist eyes that they are now feeling the effect of the illegal fish pens’ “demolition job,” compared to their sob experience when the illegal ones ruled the place.
Boy says he’d saunter and stroll along the Bonuan Beach up to the De Venecia Diversion Road often. chat with the fishermen so that “we could give suggestions to our city officials.” He was OIC – councilor during the Cory presidency, and he wished the city government and Barangay Pantal coucil led by Lilia Yasar could come up with a major project that would convert the Pantal road into a tourist promenade. That, he intimates, would require millions of pesos to build, “but what is “P200 million to a determined leader like BSL and super-rich Lilia Yasar and a great project that would make Dagupan a world-class tourist attraction?”
What about it, Banjie and Lilia?
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The year 2010 has left newsy memories some of which determine the shape of things to come in the coming year.
One of this is the the start of Robinson’s construction in Calasiao, titillating business speculation if SM will have branch too in Dagupan or Mangaldan, since Mayor Hermie Romero has started wooing the Sy family to consider his town.
The Hundred Islands fireworks, observers say, is a preview to a gubernatorial showdown between Gov. Espino and Mayor Nani Braganza. The province got a buoyant news about 3 Pangasinenses in the Aquino cabinet, Usec Dante Velasco of DOTC, Atty. Toti Baraan of DO, and Usec Director General Jose Fabia of the Philippine Information Agency.
Other appointees are MECO Chairman Amadito Perez, Jr., NFA Manager Lito banayo, and LTO NCR Director Atty. Jojo Guadiz.
The outgoing year gave us a Rep. Gina de Venecia taking after hubby former Speaker Jose de Venecia with the international mindset. It also was Gonzalo Duque’s year with the creation of the Pangasinan Historical & Cultural Commission by the provincial government.
The past year also featured Bishop Oscar Cruz vs. Gov. Espino on the jueteng issue that has raged nationwide.
NOTES: Macanlalay family captures top political positions: Roy as vice-mayors’ league president, Calasiao town mayor Mark Roy and Calasiao ABC president Allan Roy…. P-Noy’s visit in Pangasinan has opened a cleavage between two former PMA mistahs – Gov.Espino and Bani Mayor Marcelo Navarro, Jr….Super inventor Rudy Lantano, a native of Manaoag, is hailed for his 50% water, 50% bunker oil formula to provide pollution-free but powerful alternative fuel….
