Mother’s 80th birthday bash

By Jun Velasco

Quote of the Week: “Gonzalo Duque’s timely and brilliant ideas on education should make him a shoo-in as Dep-Ed secretary.” – Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez

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Not so easily seen by Dagupan motorists and residents is a half finished landmark – an alternate road that connects sitio Dawel to Barangay Lucao via Barangay Pantal.  When completed (the Speaker says “in June 2008″), that multi million infra project will change the face and outlook of the city.

You’ll know more about what we are talking about if you go there yourself either by way of Lucao from the national highway or from Arellano Street in Dawel.

At its cornerstone laying last year, the President (GMA) described it glowingly, while JdV from whose CDF it was mainly sourced said it would add some new 30 percent wealth for the city in real estimate and business boom that it would create.

That tough but enviable task is in the hands of Mayor Al Fernandez and the Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez. Visit the place and be awed by the city’s potential for a big leap forward.

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The stigma of the cheating-marred nursing board exams last year topped by Gringo Sandiego of the University of Pangasinan has been effectively lifted with the release of the recent board exams release last week.

A jubilant Dr. Catalino Rivera, UPANG president, says the exam’s results confirmed Gringo’s record as board top placer, including eighth placer Felipe Sotelo, also from UPANG, who both retook the questioned Tests No. III (medical surgical nursing) and No. V (psychiatric nursing) and passed easily.

That’s another feather in the cap of Cesar Duque’s school.  Blow out ka, CTD!

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One of the best police Pangasinan directors, Colonel Mario Sandiego lent us a book, “The Miracle of  Fasting,” authored by world renown health and nutrition experts Paul and Patricia Braggs from Santa Barbara, California.

We shall return the book soon after xeroxing it because of its helpful content. We were told Mar now heads the legal department at Camp Crame. It won’t be difficult to find him there and this could not be a reason for not being able to return his book.

Mar, a lawyer like our new provincial director, Isagani Nerez, is perceptive and rich in humanity, which makes him a must in the country’s police service.

Incidentally, another fasting  aficionado, Col. Dionisio Borromeo, Dagupan police chief, received Friday a regional award from the association of regional government offices citing his project, “Pulis Ko, Titser Ko,” he implemented in La Union and Ilocos Norte before he was assigned  here.

Rotary Club of Dagupan East hotshot Boy Rayos is mulling an award for Colonel Borro for his forays in the drug drive in the city.   

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Nanay, the former Aurora Martinez of Barangay Malued, celebrated her 80th birthday at the Star Plaza last Wednesday, August 29. It was for the family, the night of nights because everyone including our London-based sister Mita and brod Noel were present.

The spirit of Tatay Pio was present, especially when Noel – Bong to the family and close friends – played a tape of Tatay’s rendition of a Jerry Vale ditty (he was “Jerry Vale of Dagupan” and  consistent winner at DZRI’s Takayan na Dayew in the 50’s and early  60’s” and, also, Nanay Co-ring doing “My Funny Valentine.”

All their kids and  children came – Dante and Eve, Susan and Per Tuano and kids and apos, Julie and Boy Domagas and their children, our songbird who took after tatay’s singing prowess    Mitz and kid Dick and his fiance  Pio Jr., alyas Boy (he should be the Jun in the family being the junior), Bong and wife Paz and son Nick, Norman, wife Nes and kids, Armila or Baby and hubby  Engr. Fernando or Tats and kids, and finally, our youngest, Orpheus or Butch who works at the office of  Vice Guv’nor Marlyn Agabas and wife Ana and  kids.

Cathy – the only doctor (philosophy) – read a letter to Nanay, while Kharmina emceed the program which presented very nice numbers that spoke of creativity, talent and boundless love.

Butch’s video presentation of the yesteryears and yesterdays was simply great. Dante’s “homily” was spiced with wit and humor, while Bong’s John Travolta dance was a knockout.

Of course, Mitz’s ala Carpenters singing was a testimony to the fact that among all of us, she is the singer, doubtless Tatay’s singing heiress.

After Nanay’s soulful response, which was full of love and in everyone’s view the reason for everyone’s being what they all are, Pio Jr.’s closing prayer had a ring of spiritual authority. He said, “it came from the depth of my heart.” Galing!  

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)

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