Think about it
Bobby talks about Erap’s masa appeal
By Jun Velasco
“I would so live as if I knew that I received my being only for the benefit of others,”–Seneca
IT’S cloudy, teary season.
We felt the rainy season in our bones when two Dagupan stalwarts, both our friends, former Con Con Delegate Luis “Louie” Catubig, 74, and former Sunday Punch editor Gerardo “Gerry” Garcia, 87, died recently.
Louie and this columnist worked together under then Landoil president Joe de Venecia Jr. in the early 80’s. In pre-martial law days, we used to have coffee at Senator Ninoy Aquino’s office in the old Congress building; he was Ninoy’s executive secretary.
Lately, or a couple of months back, Louie and us met at Shangri-la. Our heart sank when he said he had 4th-level cancer. Trying not to indulge in self-pity, he talked about Dagupan and his days as No. 1 councilor and acting vice mayor. He had till his death a clear grasp of Dagupan’s problems. He was disillusioned by reports that some members of the city council under the past administration had stained their integrity under the MCAdore controversy.
We ask the pious reader to pray for the repose of his soul.
A day after his remains were interned at the Roman Catholic Church cemetery, the body of another dear friend and co-founder of this paper you are reading was brought to the St. John’s chapel, Punch editorial consultant Gerry Garcia.
Kuya Gerry was 88. Younger brother of journalist-martyr Ermin Sr., he wielded the pen like a master. His reportage was like that of a Lancelot if he were handling a sword, sharp, witty and perfect on its target. It was Kuya Gerry who pruned our florid prose even if we were editor in our journalism paper in college.
We couldn’t believe his health turn bad because he would usually do 20 push-ups at age 80. Unknown to many was Gerry’s music-world. He played the violin like a virtuoso.
Gerry and his vivacious wife, Muriel de Guzman, would regularly pick us up — the last about three month’s back — to dine out and just meet as friends.
We’d miss him like a real and true brother.
Requiescat in pace, Kuya Ding.
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Controversial publisher Jaime Aquino, 47, is confined at the Villaflor Hospital after a bullet pierced his lungs last Tuesday. Three persons were out to kill him at Barangay Menien, Sta. Barbara.
When Press Club president Gonzalo Duque called up Dr. Viven Villaflor for a possible reduction of his surgery and hospitalization bills, he was told he was treated in the hospital for being stabbed some l5 years ago.
He is now out of danger according to hospital authorities. Motive could not yet be established. The police belittled claims it had any political implications.
* * * *
To us, re-elected Governor Spines’ greatest achievement is the change he has caused in the work ethic of Capitol employees.
Under him, they are glued to their work. Anyone caught loafing would be shamed by the whole staff at work.
The governor was able to prove the complete reversal of the nursery rhyme “when the cat is away, the mice will play.”
Surely, it’s because of this new work ethic that the Espino administration has been winning major awards in governance ever since he became governor.
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What we get in the media and chismis centers about Manila Mayor Erap Estrada is peanuts.
They don’t say any about his “natural art” in getting connected with people, the masa especially.
We saw this Erap phenomenon from a Dagupeno whose closeness to the former President is legend.
B Rodriquez (B for Burt Reynolds or Bobby Rodriguez) regaled us at Figaro Wednesday night about Erap’s natural connectivity power.
His walis come-on has made many Manilans smile. The broom is a sign he would sweep the mountain of scum from the millennial city.
Bob would earlier confess his surprise why Erap’s van was filled with candies. He has the habit of throwing candies to children even during non-election season.
Bobby belongs to Erap’s trusted circle that is feeling the public pulse if the time is right for Senator Jinggoy to run for a higher position.
Our bookish friend, Dr. Al Arcinue, tipped us Bobby’s room was next to Erap’s in his condo in Manila.
Bobby says Erap’s unbeatable popularity is due to his unselfish and selfless persona, a mark of excellence in public service.
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NOTES: Speculations say Rep. Conrad Estrella III will gun for governor in 2016, with Guvnor Spines and former Rep. Mark Cojuangco giving their endorsement…LP mayoral bet Wilson de Vera is back at the helm of MRT’s service group…..Mayor Belen and her councilors attended Julie Ann Fernandez Perez rain-splashed birthday Thursday. The rain was a good sign, says Alex de Leon….. Birthday greetings to high school getting prettier classmate Eva R. Tamondong of Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City… Tondaligan Blue Beach Subd. Homeowners Association is back to dynamic life under the unifying leadership of Rael Ferrer-Digna Mallari/Carlo Marquez-Butoy Centeno combined.
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