Think about it
National Artist Frankie Sionil Jose at UPang’s 84th founding rites
By Jun Velasco
ANDA Mayor Nestor Pulido’s political saga — he was sacked for demonstrating a high level of pubic service — continues to annoy local officials and the public.
A Pulido sympathizer sent us this letter: “The punishment (30-day suspension) meted against him is nothing but unchristian and unjust. For a simple clerical error by his subordinates (the controversial expense for relief and rescue was inadvertently entered by the municipal budget officer, accountant and treasurer in the calamity fund account, the disbursement of which needs approval by the Sangguniang Bayan instead of having it charged against the contingency fund), the SP blue-ribbon committee rendered a decision that obviously besmirches the reputation of the mayor.”
The letter-writer lauded Board Member Nikiboy Reyes, saying. “I agree with the dissenting opinion of Nikiboy who, along with five other board members, voted for just a reprimand.”
He added, “For a former newsman like Nestor, he deserves the most prudent and fair judgment like what true-blue journalists do in their reportage.” He described the mistake an “honest mistake that was obviously not the respondent’s.”
Continuing he said “Nikiboy showed statesmanship which some of his colleagues snubbed, arguing that since the Sangguniang Bayan of Anda failed to declare the town was in a state of calamity, the members of the SB should be held administratively liable.” Not the respondent (Pulido).”
Nikiboy, he said, showed a keen sense of maturity unlike some whose act in question reeks of “rotten tomatoes.”
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On the occasion of its 84th foundation anniversary, the University of Pangasinan will confer a Degree Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa on Prof. Francisco Sionil Jose (National Artist for Literature, 2001 & Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, 1980) on Feb. 11, 2009.
The Pangasinan writing genius who hails from Rosales town will guest at a Writers’ Conference involving teachers and students of creative writing, journalists and other writing enthusiasts.
Fellow writer Santiago Villafania says “the activity will be a golden opportunity to promote the use of Pangasinan as a medium of literary / creative writing.”
Professor F. Sionil Jose will give the keynote speech on “Creative Writing: Towards the Enrichment of Pangasinan and Ilocano Literature.”
Other writers who will speak include Dr. Ma. Crisanta Nelmida-Flores (University of the Philippines)
“Writing History and Fiction inPangasinan;” Mr. Vim Nadera (University of the Philippines)”Creative Writing in the Local Setting.”
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We just sent off a good man to God’s country after living a full life for 83 years — former City Councilor Antonio “Tony” de Venecia, older brod of Congressman Joe de V.
We used to swap friendly banter whenever we met at the city hall where in the late 60’s he showed political savvy in local politics golden past. His colleagues who have gone ahead to the Great Beyond included Cirilo Rayos, Conrado Beltran, Lory Guadiz and Joe Apilado; those left behind still raging against the dying of the light include Louie Catubig, Ambrosio Collado and Alex Decano.
He had a former Councilor son, Alex and a bar topnotcher daughter Joan, and several other children who credit him for his god-fearing nature and fatherly ways.
Manong Tony, rest in peace.
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NOTES; We felicitate former Dagupan Councilor Jimmy Arzadon and beauteous wife, the former Dolores Apongol, on their golden wedding anniversary. When he was still in the council before and in the early days of martial law, Jimmy, a brilliant lawyer, was hailed as folk hero for several times, having single-handedly restored power with the use of unorthodox methods and paralyzed transportation when the lowly tricyclists were not getting a fair deal. Jimmy is now in big time real estate business in Metro Manila.
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