Dr. Fred Sta. Maria, a tribute

By Jun Velasco

WHILE the nation was thrown in euphoria with Leo Oracion’s triumphant shout of “the eagle has landed!”  the city of Dagupan was mourning the passing of  one of  the most durable politicians it has produced hereabouts, former Councilor Fred “manok” Sta. Maria.

This is the second time this column was seized by conflicting emotions lately, the first being the announcement of  Joan de Venecia’s topping the bar at the time Dagupan icon (in education, civics and business) Luis F. Samson left forever for the Great Beyond.

But the pang of sadness would be temporary because the passage is littered with poignant memories.

Last May l, this columnist was “sandwiched” by Kuya Fred and Mayor Benjie Lim during Ruben Rivera’s “Diwa, Salita at Gawa’s bash at the Star Plaza. The affair, Diwa’ s 25th founding year, feasted  on  drinks and food, lots of it, and we remember  cautioning  our not-so-young  buddy about his health which he dismissed with his characteristic  chuckle, “mild labat ya,” touching his glass.

 We always described him “forever young” because he was a portrait of elan vital, eloquence, humor, presence, excitement and filial love.  There was no dull moment when he was around.

But mark this: his fealty for family, especially his beloved Eva, was total, uncompromising, even sentimental. Many are surprised by his legendary attachment to family (not to mention his other big family – the medical clientele he hardly charged any fee.)

That filial affection kuya Fred easily and naturally extended to the hoi poloi, hence, his consistent winning in local elections — city councilor, PTA, senior citizens president, etcetera. He didn’t make it in the last city council elections which reeked anyway of money politics – a national fault undoubtedly — and probably because he, like Mohammad Ali in his waning years, had lost the sting of his political gloves. But we could almost hear him “so what of it if you don’t deserve the victory? What matters is the inner win, when your heart is singing.”   

 He was a good man, Dagupan Breakfast Club’s natural adviser, excellent go-getter, batang riles, cockfighting aficionado, doctor cum counselor of the poor, regular guy, a real friend of everyone including those he’d often knock down with his unbridled humor and most of all, a good father and husband. He lived life to the full. What more would he ask with beloved Eva by his side? Better yet, what more would Atchi Eva, family and we, the community, ask?

He is now in God’s comforting arms in  the Other Country we ARE ALL  destined to go in due time.  So long, Kuya Fred. 

*            *           *

Good news for Pangasinenses! Engr. Lito Villaluz and his beloved Gloria have just opened their healthcare clinic at Lennox Hotel.

If one would go by their therapy called Meditronics’ record, the batting average is 95 percent for all ailments and diseases including the so-called terminal ones such as cancer.  But Lito hastened to qualify this wild claim, “when it comes to the very seriously terminal, it’s 88 percent.”

Before we met the Villaluz couple, we already heard about Meditronics’ good name in Manila. A relative boasted about a Mangatarem couple who were cured dramatically from lupus, the debilitating disease that former President Ferdinand Marcos contracted. We checked the claim and the couple confirmed it.

The technology, says Lito, was imported from Switzerland aptly called High Technology Immune System Booster.

At the inauguration of their Dagupan clinic, we met an 80-year old man from Barangay Lasip who held our arm to ask if Meditronics could restore his youthfulness. We said “just look at Lito who at middle age still acts like a high school sophomore.”

The therapy consists of  a wave generator device which if you hold on to it for a few minutes will eliminate bacteria, fungi, pathogens, viruses, microorganisms, toxins and all kinds of infection. We asked Lito: “will it cure all kinds of diseases?” He nodded in the affirmative.

Better find out for yourself, readers.    

*         *        *

Mayor Leo de Vera’s dream to push his town of Bayambang to cityhood has brightened with an unconfirmed report that elections will be reset two years after 2007.

A historic town because it was the seat of the revolutionary government of President Emilio Aguinaldo in l899, Bayambang is strategically an economic hub as gateway to Dagupan and Baguio up north and Manila in the south.

Many think it might outrace Lingayen in the cityhood drive. It would be best for Mayor de Vera to be focused on cityhood before he goes for the congressional kill come hell or high water!                       

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