Feelings
Sison’s all-seasons!
By Emmanuelle
NOT ALL PROMISES were made to be broken. A precious few were meant to be kept. This one, among the list of the many she had kept true, makes this season, the season for Sison.
And what is left of the rest, is Sison’s all-seasons.
Mayor Kimi Shultz Cojuangco of Sison, wife to Pangasinan 5th District Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco, promised to give her people a beautiful face to present to the province, the nation and the world at large.
She was not referring to her face, though hers is of such beauty as to inspire the muses to inspire the arts.
She was referring to a dream of a park-like ambience to serve as the working center of the Poblacion connecting the many into one, and dispersing the one into the many. It would be the center of the local government unit where plans and other dreams are molded into possibilities, where possibilities are perfected into realities – from the basics of good governance to the economics of agriculture and commerce and tourism; and, significantly, to include comprehensive and far-reaching public programs and projects in education, social and health services, youth development, the promotion of the senior citizens’ welfare and the Sisonians’ uniquely indigenous culture and heritage.
On Sunday December 14, 2008, the second day of the celebration of Sison’s 146th Founding, Mayor Kimi cut the white-and-yellow ribbons to open the gift of a face the municipality shall from hereon wear. A park without walls that to cross from one of the four government buildings to the other becomes a delightful leisurely stroll despite the urgency of any emergency; the biggest stage imaginable in these parts with provisions for the latest audio-visual technology and so designed as to be seen from any point in the park without the audience climbing one up the other; and a wide rolling expanse of gray tiles and green not-so-fragile grass where weary feet, and wee children too, can walk and run fast on bare or thinly covered feet.
On hand to assist and also to witness were her husband, Congressman Mark, their son Eduardo, her sister Cristy, his parents Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” and Gretchen Cojuangco, Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero, and of course, the Sisonians and their families and their friends to include the mayors of the fifth district.
Have you read the re-telling of Kimi’s Pangasinan roots in last month’s Feelings? Let’s face it. Mayor Kimi is no doubt every bit, and even doubly a Pangasinense. And that is probably more than what can be said for you and me.
After the above opening event, the people were gifted with another one, but not as quiet and not as solemn, but as historically-first to the town. Concert king Martin Nievera sang for them, in his usual kitikiti way. And jolted the hearts out of the friendly neighborhood lungs. And the sleep out of everyone’s eyes.
Sison Mayor Kimi Shultz Cojuangco, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr., 5th District Congressman Mark Cojuangco deliver their Fiesta and Christmas messages to the people of Sison. Special guest Senator Chiz Escudero delivers his message in very UPian Pilipino.
A portion of the Sisonian crowd.
The biggest stage imaginable in these parts.
And Martin Nievera is dwarfed by its immensity.
Composer-arranger Louie Ocampo is on the keyboard.
Martin jitters the voice out of the 2 boys of Sison Idol finalists.
(Readers may reach columnist at jingmil@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/feelings/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
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