Playing with Fire

By August 24, 2014Archives, Opinion

Dagupan set to mark its 400th year

Gonz Duque

By Gonzalo Duque

 

AS soon as we were back in the country, we’re again disheartened by negative news everywhere, yes, we found out, as reflective of actual goings-on in our country.

Iba talaga ang Pinas sa Land of the Green Apple. But since it’s our home-sweet home, anong magagawa natin? Do we have a choice?

Gawa na lang tayo ng magpapabuti sa sitwasyon, ano po?

Well, but, allow us to say this—in our city, gumaganda ang ihip ng hangin.

Pinaganda ni Mayor Belen Fernandez.

Siyanga pala, there’s an ongoing talk between Mayor Belen and Bishop Socrates Villegas for a great and grand idea: Dagupan to have its 400th foundation date, just like what the province has just done. Pangasinan is now 435 years old.

Hrrmm… it may be immodest to claim credit for the Espino leadership’s having launched its foundation day. But the public—especially the readers of this paper—know only too well that it was through our initiative that the Pangasinan Historical Cultural Commission has been established.

Since Mayor Belen has similarly tasked us to undertake a similar job for Dagupan—so be it.

Tama naman, di po ba? Why do we celebrate the City Fiesta and Bangus Festival, but nothing of our foundation day? Mali ata a? Let’s get top work, Jun V!

Fr. Soc says mga 400 years old na tayo e. If so, let’s go for it.

Bunoin natin ito, mga citymates, fellow Dagupeños.

Matutuwa ang mga ninuno natin na naisip natin ito.

Sabi nga ni Rizal, ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan hindi makakarating sa patutunguhan.  

*          *          *          *

At the induction rites of Uptown Rotary Club at Leduc Hotel, now headed by incoming president Marina Abella as able successor of A-1 performer outgoing president Joy Bautista, we recalled in our welcome address that most of the elders we remembered especially Boy Rayos, were teasing the Uptown group as composing mga “Adas”—referring to most members as abandonadas, separadas, biyudas, dibursiadas, etc.

Our witty City Administrator Farah Decano brilliantly countered,  “in spite of those ADAS, they are TALENTADAS.” Bullseye!

Magaling si Farah, awa!

That should be why though we are now 15 years young, Uptown is still up and about! It has reaped several regional, district, national and international awards.

Tuwang tuwa si District Gov. Danny Kho and Assistant Gov. Norman Velasco (is he the pogier brother of Jun Velasco?)

We’d like to thank all the officers and members, the charter members and everyone for keeping the Uptown banner of leadership aloft.

We also especially extend our gratitude to our Mayor Belen Fernandez who has been very supportive to the club’s projects.

 Mabuhay tayong lahat!

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