Think about it
Baffled by Dagupan’s growth
By Jun Velasco
“Memory tempers prosperity, mitigates adversity, controls youth, and delights old age.” –Cicero
WELCOME home, cousin Glenn Martinez, 45, of San Francisco California who arrived last Sunday.
The son of our late uncle, former US Navy officer Orlando “Ading” Martinez, eldest son of lolo Felix Martinez and lola Pilar Montero-Martinez, Glenn looked baffled at the new Dagupan of Mayor Belen Fernandez he left 20 years ago.
He was profoundly delighted by the presence of still pretty auntie Ester and cousins Baby and Tats Casupanan, Nes Erfe Velasco, Sandra Dy Sison, Dr. Cathy Velasco and Norman’s kids atMang Pepeng’s, owned by uncle Jose Dy and the former auntie Alodea Mertinez and managed by cousin Lito, which he found a big Dagupan tourism allure.
In l980, after completing our Rotary Exchange study in Maryland, we visited Glenn’s dying mother, the former Malued Elementary School teacher Nena Caguioa-Martinez, at Oakland Hospital.
Glenn’s noticeable “struggle” in divining the deep change in looks and people’s behavior of Dagupan was eased only by the Martinez folk’s unchanging affection and love for him.
He didn’t say it, but we could read his lips as if saying the “home feeling” is more powerful than the attraction of the west, which moved him to decide to retire in Dagupan a couple of years hence.
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Another homely note: Congratulations to new civil engineer Eldefonso V. Calimlim Jr., son of former Dagupan City Budget Officer Ildefonso “Eddie” Calimlim Sr., our city high school classmate.
Eddie told us his boy was a scholar of our superstar classmate Atty. Ope Reyna, University of Luzon chairman.
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Speaking of home, we missed the grand Malued Elementarschool Alumni Homecoming last Saturday organized by Kapitan Amping delo Santos and Ms. Corazon Caguioa-Langit.
Visiting one’s geographical roots has been scientifically and spiritually proven as a powerful health tonic. It reinvigorates the spirit and the emotions.
We should have gladly attended the event, but we were “improperly” informed about it, not even invited, by somebody who was not even a Malued resident.
This power of attraction by one’s birth or roots was confirmed to us by no less than former President Fidel V. Ramos when he spoke at our Pacebook magazine’s 3rd anniversary last March 1 in Lingayen.
We don’t know how it works, but probably it’s the resurgence of childhood thoughts and the love and unifying thread showered by barangay mates, kin and cousins that make us not only feel but be brand new once more.
In a poem titled “Malued” in our book “Entrances,” we wrote that Malued – our birthplace – has a chemistry that keeps us coming back not knowing why.”
While we wrote this, sister Susan Tuano texted us that another beautiful soul, Vicky Siapno-Tada, of Malued has a “pasalubong daw” for us.
We once told Vicky, one of Pacebook’s Achiever awardees, that it’s her good nature that made him an authentic and true achiever.
Mabuhay ang Barangay Malued!
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Many are peeved at a report that says Dagupan and neighbor coastal towns are lying in the path of a possible tsunami.
We suggest it would be best to behave like a boy or girl scout, to be always prepared for anything.
Instead of ignoring the report, which did not just come from nowhere, but from a task force that includes representatives of Phivolcs and the Department of Science and Technology, we should subject their report to a most serious and scientific study.
We should also find out how we can cooperate with local and national authorities in tracking the truth to save lives, not only our lives but that of others, too.
There are those who make fun of the report. That’s irresponsible and dangerous. First of all, nobody has invented the report.
Don’t forget that in the Old Testament, they laughed at Noah when he was building the ark.
God helps those who help themselves.
Above all, pray that the Lord Almighty won’t allow it to happen as we invoke His mighty name.
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Scouting brought Vice President Jojo Binay, president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and Governor Spines, regional chair, together at the National Scout Venture Camp in Lingayen last Friday.
We find a common thread between the diminutive due—both active scouts when they were kids, “small but terrible.”
Their meeting was symbolic of the scouting movement’s “be prepared” paradigm, the current battle cry of our disaster-infested times.
The two leaders have become giants in the leadership totem pole because of the principles of scouting and military discipline never to be caught unprepared in any competition and challenge.
Regarding their height, we remember Carlos P. Romulo’s definition that “the height of a man should be measured from the neck up.”
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