Think about it
Ex-Dad Pedy Torio remembered
By Jun Velasco
“The Gods conceal from men the happiness of death, that they may endure life,” Lucan
THE year 2015 should usher in good things for the country.
For one, the world leader of the largest church — Pope Francis — is coming over on Thursday to the great rejoicing of the faithful.
In spite of the storms brought by natural disasters and the man-made abuse by a few mad dogs of our countrymen, the country was able to stand its ground and prevail with flying colors.
Let’s join hands with the loyalists of a better world order. Now is the best time to trust our lucky stars.
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When he was at the pre-martial law Dagupan City council — it’s now called, for good or ill, Sangguniang Panlungsod — former Councilor Pedy Torio, alyas Tirso Cruz III of that council, was a tough nut to crack.
Together with then No. 1 Councilor Al Fernandez Jr. (Kuya Pedy was No.2), he stood ground against trouble makers such as the Millora brothers of San Carlos City in the gasping days of the free wheeling pre-martial law era.
We were among those who joined the duo defend the city from the locos from San Carlos City.
Kuya Pedy was the nemesis of jueteng lords and known enemies of the peace and progress in our beloved city.
He was also responsible for many infrastructure projects that have spruced up the villages and the more remote sections of the city. Being a barkadista, Kuya Pedy was, however, a respected elder and adviser of many civic and fraternal organizations including those who existed merely for the heck of it. Kuya Pedy gave meaningful direction to these groups.
Those were the years when the city council made sure it was an equal of the city mayor’s office — unlike today, when it behaves like a rubber stamp of a very powerful mayor, the Indira Gandhi of the city officialdom.
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The province’s news stalwarts are coming out with Pacebook’s January-February edition with the head, The Turning point, and the photos of the expected two gubernatorial gladiators, former 5th District Congressman Mark Cojuangco and Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino III on the cover.
It is an impartial, extensive and comprehensive cover story on the two, without an iota of bias from the writers.
The special edition will also have the 2014 Pangasinan Achievers list who will be honored at President Hotel in March.
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We describe this amusing if factual dichotomy of reality as the representation of man as both a virtuous and dubious persona.
They are within our nearest vicinity including our own selves torn by contradictory selfies, one ennobling, the other deprecatory. It must be a dichotomy from the personas of Adam and Eve who abandoned a life of blessedness to the sinful side.
The reward is self evident even in one’s mortal existence: Hell to the self indulgent, and heaven to the man of restraint. It seems those who want to strike a balance in life can’t succeed because they will forever be navigating the perilous waters of uncertainty.
Be guided by the universal axiom.
You reap what you sow.
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More honors and glory are in store for the Lyceum Northwestern University with outgoing Civil Service Commission Chairman Francisco T. Duque III, alias Pincoy, formally joining his brother LNU President Gonzalo T. Duque to jointly run the affairs of the university in a couple of month.
2015 must be a great year for LNU!
We all know Pincoy to be the no-nonsense outgoing CSC chair and former Department of Health secretary who has steered both offices to great heights of performance and honors in spite of a problematic environment. We know because we were a consultant at the DOH when he was at the helm.
Gonz, our friend since the 50’s, will be promoted to the post of chancellor, a stellar position, once occupied by eldest brother, the late Dr. Salvador T. Duque.
The business tycoon Caesar, their brother with the Midas’ touch, is finance adviser, while sisters Grace and Luz, both doctors, are in the directorial advisory.
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