Think about it

Conrad Estrella ‘invades’ the west
By Jun Velasco

 

 

 

THERE is premature dancing in the streets when no less than the Congress committee overseeing the proposed charter change has frowned on the proposal to cancel the 2007 elections as a countdown to the proposed shift to a parliamentary government.
In the popular euphoria over no-el’s knock-out (?), what was floored was the undebatable fact that Philippine elections are usually marred with flawed practices that have made a mockery of democracy in this country.
What should have merited greater concern is the need to radically reform the electoral system —  which should not only  involve the Comelec but the whole gamut of electing or selecting our leaders. 
The changing of the guards, so to speak, is a rotten culture in this country. Note that even those who correctly argue for the holding of the 2007 elections “to get rid of the misfits and the corrupt” may have missed the whole point, which is to make democracy work in this so-called “window of democracy in Asia.”

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To be sure, it’s not everyday that the province and our four cities will host a big national event such as the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) games, which begin today.  It should be our first duty to help ensure its success, whether you hate or love Gonzalo Duque, the skipper of the gargantuan events.
Mayor Benjie Lim’s Kalutan is a smart move. It’s funny that several people have mistaken Councilor Chito Samson as the PRISAA chief and not Gons because the University of Luzon hotshot has his welcome posters all over the place.
Without Gons knowing it, Chito’s posters have stirred up public awareness of the national games when the LNU bossman was taking it easy. It’s Chito’s turn this time to ask Gons for a drink payback at Atanor.
Let’s all go to the Narciso Ramos Sports Center today, Feb. 5, where the games will be  fired off by  President Gloria Arroyo.  Speaker Joe de V, one of the ardent supporters of the PRISAA like Benjie, is in town too for the games’ opening.

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The provincial government has finally started what it has for a long time wanted to do:  convert the Maramba Boulevard into a tourist attraction.
Friday night at  Nena’s Garden at the Tondaligan, former Sta. Barbara Vice Mayor  Mauro “Jun” Calaguio and  his  wife, the former Trinidad “Eneng”  Maramba told us they’re “so happy”  with Governor Victor Agbayani  finally getting things moving to treasure the memory of Eneng’s great  grandfather, first Pangasinan Governor Don Daniel Maramba, the builder of  the  Provincial Capitol. Former Governor Cipriano “Tito” Primicias, who saw the “ecstasy” in Eneng’s eyes thought that Agbayani’s action on the Maramba Boulevard reconstruction is commendable as it is long overdue. Manong Tito should have started it too before he migrated to Canada! See? Intourism and beauty, partisan politics loses its sting.

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With the perceived scrapping of “no el,” our politicians have literally renewed their campaign sorties even it these are couched in subtle languages. They have a name for this amusing but accepted exercise, “doing an early bird.”
In the gubernatorial husting, the name of  Conrad Estrella, dashing congressman  from the sixth district and  heir-apparent to Lolo Condring, undisputed  grand old man in Pangasinan politics for having outlived  Victor’s venerable father, the late Masiken Aguedo, has begun to ring a bell in Central and  Western Pangasinan. How about in Usec Bebot Villar’s 3rd District bailiwick which is Rep. Gener Tulagan’s congressional turf?       With his inroads in Rep. Art Celeste’s enclave and neighboring parts, Conrad, who moves like a matinee idol, the governorship, as handler Bobby Rodriguez of Bugallon loves to whisper, “is just  a walk in the park.”
What do you say, pare gubernatoriable Rep. Spines?

 

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The University of Pangasinan has acquired new verve and vigor under its new president Dr. Catalino Rivera who had replaced tycoon Cesar Duque who has moved up to chairman.
For one week now, a long caravan of cars crisscrossing the province would make stopovers in different towns to hold medical and health clinics, livelihood, nutrition and sports lectures, feeding for tots and other goodwill outreaches captioned “empowering communities.” Dr. Rivera is a populist educator. CTD could not have chosen a better president. The activities, SVP Marietta Sorio says, is in preparation for the university’s 8lst founding year on April 6.

 

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Those who say that pare Al Fernandez, the dashing immigration commissioner does not sing during parties are now eating their words after seeing and hearing him Friday night giving Mayors Jonas Castañeda and Jolly Resuello a run for their money. Usec Bebot Villar, Maynilad Director Pepe Siapno and Mayor Leo Boy de Vera had left when the sing-along began, missing Al’s “My Way” version.  Vice Mayor Alvin, obviously not a Sinatra fan unlike erpat,   is a Beatle fan although he was not yet born when the mop-haired band was ruling the roost.