By Eva c. Visperas

 

HE was a VIP visitor during last week’s Bangus Festival highlights in Dagupan City.

Meet Vice Mayor Garry Barbadillo, ESQ, of Milpitas, California, USA. He visited Dagupan on an official trip in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the sister-city relations between Milpitas and Dagupan.

Joining him were his lovely wife and their tall, brown-skinned and handsome son.

During a welcome dinner held in his honor, I was invited by fellow Puncher and Dagupan’s arts, culture, and tourism icon Rex Catubig to an intimate gathering with Vice Mayor Barbadillo. Though I’m not a Dagupeño, I’ve devoted much of my professional and personal life to the city — and I can honestly say, I love Dagupan.

It was my first time meeting the vice mayor. I haven’t been to Milpitas, but I did visit nearby Palo Alto in California back in 1999, along with the late Mayora Vivien and her sisters, Baby and Gina, who hosted us.

Each year, a group of Dagupan students — especially members of Manlingkor Ya Kalangwaran (young leaders) — travel to Milpitas for educational tours.

Vice Mayor Barbadillo, as it turns out, is a fellow kababayan from Bangued, Abra. His wife is also Filipina. From the moment we met, there was an instant, positive connection. Magalang, maayos kausap, walang ere sa katawan at hindi gaya ng ibang Pinoy na nag-iiba ang accent pag nasa Amerika na, siya ay kagayang-kagaya pa rin natin. Pinoy na Pinoy pa rin!

The same could be said of his warm, cheerful wife and their son, who has the charm of a budding showbiz star.

I saw him take part in several Bangus Festival events: Gilon-Gilon ed Baley, Bangus Rodeo, and Bangusine, where he did a cooking demo of his favorite — sinigang na bangus sa bayabas. That dish brought back memories of someone who loved to cook for me. It was truly mouth-watering.

We met again during the Kalutan ed Dalan street party on April 30. To my surprise, he remembered me. We had a short interview and walked together casually from the mayor’s hub to the Stadia, where he and his family would watch the concerts

During the interview, we asked him about his experience at the Bangus Festival. He said it was overwhelmingly heartwarming, thanks to the reception led by Mayor Belen Fernandez.

Though he has visited Dagupan many times personally, this was his first official trip as a representative of the City of Milpitas. He also shared that he and Mayor Belen have met several times during her visits to Milpitas.

“Personally, napakabait na tao ni Mayor Belen. At habang tumatagal ang relasyon ng aming siyudad, nakikita ko sa kanya yung dedication niya sa public service,” he said.

He noted similarities between the infrastructure projects of Dagupan and those of Milpitas.

“Magaling na tao si Mayor Belen, magaling na lider,” he added.

From his stay, he emphasized how deeply he appreciated Filipino hospitality, calling it essential: “Dahil ang hospitality ay nagpapakita ng katunayan ng pagkakaibigan.”

“Kung ang friendship ang nangunguna, lahat nanggagaling doon — kooperasyon, yung pag-exchange ng ideas, at saka development ng bawat city,” he said.

One key lesson he took home was a governance principle he learned from the mayor: “Ilapit yung serbisyo sa tao kesa yung tao ang lumapit sa gobyerno.” This, he said, left a lasting impression and is something he hopes to bring to Milpitas.

Vice Mayor Barbadillo reflected on the meaningful experience, saying it affirmed the values and legacy of Filipinos.

“Although we are already considered as foreigners, yet our hearts and feelings remain as Filipinos. It reminds us of our roots. It reminds us of our Filipino values, that we will share with our friends, with our children, or with anyone in the world, wherever we are,” he said with conviction.

Like Gen. Douglas MacArthur, he promised: “I shall return.”

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