DON Pedro “Bal” Balingit, owner of the oldest pharmacy in Dagupan and one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in the city, passed away in the early morning of December 14 from cardiac arrest at age 99.

BALINGIT

Balingit, a bosom buddy and classmate in Pampanga of the late President Diosdado Macapal, was laid to rest Wednesday at the Eternal Gardens cemetery in Dagupan.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, daughter of the late president, paid her last respects on Tuesday to Balingit who stood as her foster father after Macapagal’s death.

Albert Balingit, son of the Don Pedro, said his father requested members of his household to sing Christmas songs to him before he went to sleep on the night before his death at his residence in Bonuan Binloc.

Last July 16, his children gave him a grand birthday treat and made it his 100th birthday celebration following tradition of rounding off celebrations to zero if it ends in number 9.

Albert said their family would miss the old man’s happy disposition in life, his sharp memory and his good management of their pharmacy business. Don Pedro was also president for five years of the Filipino Drug Owners Association of the Philippines.

He said his dad will also be remembered as the best golfer in Pangasinan during his prime.

“Nobody could beat him during his time,” he said.

During Don Pedro’s last birthday celebration, some people donated cash, of which P300,000 was donated to the Don Pedro Balingit Clubhouse. #

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