Playing with Fire
A great man flew into town
By Gonzalo Duque
A GREAT man quietly came to town recently.
You who have been following the national news are familiar with this rare breed of a Filipino.
Antonio Meloto, winner of the world-famous Ramon Magsaysay Award for providing millions of houses to millions of Filipinos, was the guest of Gov. Spines, Mayor Al Fernandez and Mayor Rey Velasco.
He came to town to guide our local executives in properly implementing their housing programs.
Tony, as he is fondly called, was earlier in the company of sister Luz Duque Hammersheind in their meeting at the Shangri-La. They talked about sister’s housing program in Pangasinan as part of Lyceum Northwestern U’s social development program.
You see, Luz’s daughter Ade who is studying in Georgetown University in New York is involved in Meloto’s Gawad Kalinga program which obviously has gone worldwide.
Last Tuesday, Jan. 15, we met with Tony and what a well remembered meeting we had! To us, who was to celebrate our birthday anniversary the following day, Jan.16, our meeting with Tony Meloto was very significant and very touching as we were tackling something meaningful to the poor.
Our close friends know that we have stopped the ostentatious practice of holding lavish parties to mark our birthday. We’d rather spend the day with the socially and economically impoverished. For what kind of happiness would you get if you celebrated only for your own self’s joy?
To us, every waking day is a birthday. So, that significant day – meeting with Tony Meloto, who incidentally was also voted Man of the Year by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was a great, super moment. We felt 10 feet taller in his company.
Tony, by the way, was not pleased with a number of Gawad Kalinga projects here, one in Bonuan and Sta. Barbara. His idea of housing is one which though simple has the amenities of cleanliness and simple beauty. It’s not costly but it evokes common sense that will please the owners.
Right now, with the precious bits of advice he gave Mayor Al and Governor Spines, Dagupan and many parts of Pangasinan will have meaningful and beautiful housing programs.
Let’s applaud Tony Meloto!
* * *
In our view, the provincial government under a workaholic Governor is moving in the right direction. We saw how Provincial Administrator Raffy Baraan and Provincial Information Officer -OIC Butch Velasco gave our group (with Tony Meloto) a good briefing about the province’s new directions under Governor Spines.
Spines promised that in due time the founding or chartering date of the province will be made. That’s historic. We congratulate Spines for it.
* * *
Our sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mayor Al Fernandez on the demise of his sister Marian a few days back. She was always good-natured and a joy to everyone. May she rest in peace!
* * *
Sir Knight of Rizal Jun Velasco, chapter commander of Quezon City, is organizing the Dagupan chapter with national officials led by former Supreme Court Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr., as supreme commander, who will be represented by Acting Supreme Commander Sir Virgilio Esguerra. The idea is commendable, and we at LNU have always drawn inspiration from our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose monument you see immediately when you enter the Lyceum grounds, a rung below that of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s join the Knights of Rizal and help eradicate selfishness, corruption, lawlessness and lack of love for country.
(Readers may reach columnist at punch.sunday@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
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