Belen’s Sacrifice

By Eva C. Visperas

In life, we have to learn to sacrifice sometimes for a greater good.

Take the case of Belen Fernandez, better known in Dagupan City and elsewhere in Pangasinan as the CSI driving force. The mall magnate.

After she quit politics many years ago, she concentrated on her business. The result was very good. CSI had an unprecedented boom and many other branches were built in other parts of the province and outside neighboring areas. In fact, while CSI’s competitors were in near shutdown, Belen’s ventures enjoyed its top post. Pangasinenses need not go to the metropolis to shop as CSI is their next best alternative.

So what’s the sacrifice? It’s like this.

No less than House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., president of the Lakas party, has confirmed that Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. will run for mayor while Belen will be his vice mayor.

Commissioner Fernandez was a three-term mayor here prior to his appointment to the Bureau of Immigration while his running mate, Belen, is a former city councilor. Although the two have the same surname, they are not related to each other. The former mayor’s father also served as mayor here while Ms. Fernandez belongs to a Filipino-Chinese family of successful businessmen in this city.

The commissioner, in a phone interview with this corner Monday, declined to comment on the tandem for now. But he said, “What’s important is we help the Speaker.”

This I learned in politics: Developments happen so fast.

In my separate interview with Ms. Fernandez, she confirmed reports that she will definitely run this coming election. She said, “Mukhang wala nang atrasan (It looks like there’s no more turning back.”

She had a courtesy call Tuesday with Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz. “I feel I’m really already decided with his (Cruz) blessings and advice,” she added.

She said she was encouraged to run by no less than the speaker and Commissioner Fernandez.

She said her sure running mate is the Commissioner because “if it would be someone else, I would not go for it.”

Ms. Fernandez added that she decided to join politics again because it’s an honor that she was offered to join two big names in politics, referring to De Venecia and the Commissioner. She said De Venecia has done a lot for the district like roads, bridges, schools and has connections not only nationally but globally.

As for the Commissioner whom she had worked with when he was still mayor here, Ms. Fernandez said she witnessed his good leadership skills.

“Many businessmen   also told me that during his (Fernandez’s) time, business was good in Dagupan,” she added. Remember, Dagupan City is the deciding factor every elections for 4th district as it has the biggest number of voters in that area.

For Belen, who never stopped helping needy people like through her more than 20 Day Care Centers, she’s willing and ready to make that supreme sacrifice, for the love of Dagupan and JDV.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/business-log/)

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