PEOPLE POWER IN POZORRUBIO. Listen to your boss. This was the collective call of residents of Pozorrubio town as they held their version of people power in their pergola as the nation marked its 30th anniversary of the world famous People Power revolution on Feb. 25.

It was supposed to be a non-working holiday, but the complaining Pozorrubians opted to have their sentiments shouted, and hopefully heard, by concerned officials, especially His Excellency President Aquino and Department of Public Works and Highways headed by Sec. Singson.

This reporter also opted to go where the action was on that day and once again, my heart was touched when I heard and saw people, especially the old ones, crying, pleading that the government would consider their sentiments and suggestions for a “better” option.

For some who know nothing but equate every move in my beloved Pangasinan to politics, I’m sorry to disappoint you. This one is for the lowly farmers, stakeholders who would be affected by the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. Never mind if processes and laws are followed. This one is not, the affected residents claimed.

People used to be silent on issues affecting them. But times have changed.
They had their petition signing during their peaceful assembly. The number reached almost two thousand, based on information I gathered before noon when I left the area where the awareness assembly was held.

I detest it when some quarters describe Pozorrubians as tangay-tangay (dumb).

That’s foul and unfair.

Truth is, I admire and salute them for their courage to speak up.

How many of us in Pangasinan can do that, especially if we are fighting the giants? Like now, right in this election. Many opt to remain blind and deaf to wrongdoings of some leaders we mistakenly voted in past political exercises. Patuloy tayong niloloko, dina-dramahan pero tatahimik lang tayo?  People of this breed deserve to be called tangay-tangay.

Malamang karamihan sa atin ay agad nababahag ang buntot. It’s time to correct our mistakes while the chance is here in our midst once more.—Tita Roces

 

THE TEAM TO BEAT. If Dagupan City is now one of the leaders in the Region 1 Athletic Association (IRAA) meet in San Carlos City, it must be due to a rigorous comprehensive sports development program launched by Mayor Belen Fernandez since taking over the helm of office in 2013.

Up until Friday morning, all eyes were on Dagupan which was trailing defending champion Pangasinan II in the overall standing in its most spectacular performance ever yet in that yearly sports event organized by the Department of Education. Remember it was seventh placer in last year’s IRAA meet held in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

For a while last Feb. 24, midway in the week-long meet, there was a time when Dagupan was on top of the standing with 34 gold, 22 silver and 20 bronze medals, eclipsing its 18 gold medal output in last year’s meet. It was a warning to all and sundry that it is now the team to beat.

Admittedly, it was in swimming that served as a virtual gold mine for Dagupan’s athletes, snatching 18 gold, eight silver and 9 bronze medals, finally earning for its swimmers a ticket each to the 2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi City in April

But much needs to be done for athletics that many consider today is the team’s Achilles heel but without a standard race oval to train its track and field athletes, how far can the city go? We were informed Mayor Belen is already working on this requirement and with it she expects Dagupan athletes to capture the R1AA title next year.

The Dagupan swimmers, of course, enjoyed home advantage since the competition was held at the Dagupan City Olympic-size swimming pool, incidentally the only one in Region 1. But it was their long training in the sport under the BTF Does It program that truly clinched the medals for them. The swimmers were exposed to many regional and national competitions which was why they did not have a hard time disposing of their rivals at the meet.

According to Finnela Sim, a commissioner of the Dagupan City Sports Commission, herself a top swimmer during her varsity days at De La Salle University in Manila, Dagupan athletes made remarkable improvements not only in swimming but also in arnis, gymnastics and chess and are also making their marks in basketball and volleyball for boys and girls in secondary as well elementary divisions.

Before sending the athletes to R1AA, Mayor Belen and City Schools Superintendent Froserfina Bravo made sure the city athletes were in top shape and good competitive form. — Leonardo Micua

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

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