Think about it
Organize students’ visit to the Capitol
By Jun Velasco
THE author of that health book that says “l00 Years Young: What the Oldest Can Teach Us” should have met Dagupan’s latest centenarian, Don Pedro “BAL” Balingit.
Feted by his family and friends last July l6, his l00th birthday, Don Bal (we call him “Kuya Pete”) strikes one as, in the words of Norman Vincent Peale, “an incorrigible optimist.”
A durable and well known pillar of the Rotary Club of Dagupan, the father of Land Bank Director Albert Balingit and grandpa of former Rotary Club of Dagupan East president Brian Balingit still exudes a zest for life, a take it easy lifestyle and a heart-winning outlook.
He was the late Cong Dadong’s confidant and “second father” (after biological father’s demise) to PGMA. In one of our little chats that mainly consisted of Malacañang chismis in those days such as Madam Eva’s dominant ways and the late former president’s onor onor ed si mam capers.
Asked about his secret for long life, Kuya Pete has no clear advice on what food to eat and what physicial regimen should one have. Even his sons Albert, Boy and Cecil and daughter Baby would simply say “papang is not choosy with food.” Seems to us though that his unusual vigor unclouded by anxiety and stress could have cleared the way for his excellent health. Above all, he says, he has a grateful attitude to God and country and his fellowmen.
We missed his bash last Wednesday, but it isn’t too late yet, we hope, to greet him, “many happy rerturns of the day, Kuya Pete.”
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If King Arthur has his legendary Camelot, King, err, Governor Amado Espino has his Capitol. Big difference is Arthur and Camelot were fairy tales while the provincial capitol and Spines are real.
Why the comparison? Because, the new governor of Pangasinan has transformed the Capitol and Urduja and other buildings in the area into models of architecture that bespeak of elegance and good taste.
We have seen the renovations, and our first instinct was to ask every Pangasinense especially the school children to make visit of the handsome buildings.
Our tourism-oriented provincial officials should organize mini tours or visits to be led by a good “explainer” and make these buildings showcases of the province’s past and shot in the future. Such activities will inspire love for Pangasinan and the author of our historical sense. Gonzalo Duque’s persistent call for fixing the founding date of the province should be a part of this effort.
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NOTES: The beloved wife of Rudy Gomez, Erlinda, succumbed the other week. What a huge throng of sympathizers who came to their home at the Tondaligan Blue Beach Subdivision and her funeral! One has an idea of the Christian life the family has lived. May she rest in peace in the protective arms of the Lord.
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We stumbled into a golden nugget from a news bulletin of the Rotary Club of Dagupan East in the column of public Rex Lor.
By the way, RCDE is now headed by Dominador “Boy” Rayos, whose induction last Friday was graced by Sec. Pincoy Duque, a past RCDE prexy, and District Governor Jess Nicdao.
We are reprinting this gem of an article from Rex’s column “Chalkboard” to inspire you:
“One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school found he had only one thin dime left. He was hungry.
He decided to ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said “then thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words… “Paid in full with one glass of milk.”
(Readers may reach columnist at junmv@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
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