Playing with Fire
Ms. Finela Tan Sim, game changer
By Gonzalo Duque
FIRST, our tribute to the late Salvador “Badong” Bernal, National Artist, of Dagupan City.
The late Badong Bernal, closest “ campus political ally” of Jun Velasco at the DCHS Student Council and in their ill-fated Varsitarian presidential odyssey, was a familiar figure in our city until he became a resident professor at the Ateneo University and focused his work on theatre design.
We were at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen when his work was put to exhibit to the public. You would be awed by Badong’s genius.
You will be convinced after visiting the exhibit that he was a genius. The exhibit will run up to May only. So, see it now. Badong is Dagupan’s pride—this national, nay if you ask us, international artist.
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Thank you, Pacebook magazine which held a simple but grand anniversary celeb yesterday at the President Hotel in Lingayen, for giving us an Outstanding Pangasinense Award for our work in organizing the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission.
Believe naman tayo rito kina Jun V at Cesar Carpio, publisher of the bi-monthly-or quarterly?—magazine. Nakuha nila sina former President Fidel V. Ramos at former Speaker Joe de Venecia Jr. na guests of honor.
Salamat sa award. It will encourage us to have more energy in promoting history-consciousness among Pangasinenses.
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There’s an exhilarating, fresh wind in Dagupan– Ms. Finela Tan Sim, great swimmer and trainer of swimmers.
Over at Kabaleyan Channel, Ms. Sim presented to us a solid program to produce Olympic-type Dagupan swimmers under the all-supportive Mayor Belen Fernandez.
From her humble status of wife, Finela has metamorphosed into an entrepreneur and now, technical consultant to Mayora Belen on sports development, especially swimming.
Dapat lang sikat tayo sa sport na ito ha?
Kasi we are a river city and we are rimmed by the Lingayen Gulf.
Ms. Finela (“finela” means “she is already fine”) was able to clean and rehabilitate the city’s swimming pool—towards becoming a world-class and 5-star facility. Wala na yong bacteria infestation sa pool.
Many have noticed her work.
Dr. Jovy Villaflor observed that parents saw the massive improvements, thanks to Mayor BTF. Another observer, a Mr. Abarquez, and Omar de Vera commented that “BTF is the only mayor who took good care of the pool and the people taking care of it. Because of such support, Dagupan raked in awards at the recent regional meet in La Union.
From Number 6, the city jumped to Number 3, improving performance by 40 percent, with 32 medals won. They are now envisioning 6,000 Dagupan children to be trained by Ms. Sim en route to becoming world Olympians.
Sustain the great performance!
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