Playing with Fire
Lacay left quietly for the Great Beyond
By Gonzalo Duque
YOU may not believe it if we tell you that when news reached us that Lacay Condring Estrella died in his sleep last Tuesday, we felt deeply sad, teary eyed, like our own father had left us again.
We, too, couldn’t understand this filial feeling for a man who was the bitter foe of our own late father, former Gov. and Health Sec. Paco, in a gubernatorial contest years back.
We realized that he, the Lacay, who lived a full 93 years of his fruitful life was a very good man, other-centered and model public servant. He touched us deeply when in a public gathering, he parried off personal aides and other luminaries who wanted to accost him to the podium. The old man singled us out, called our name, and took our arm as we walked together to the rostrum.
Earlier he remarked about our efforts in establishing with Gov. Amado Espino Jr. a Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, telling us what a commendable job we were doing. Coming from a man we highly respected, we felt knighted.
We couldn’t forget the great words he said when he eulogized our father during the necro for him. You couldn’t imagine Lacay Condring speak so highly of his former political foe, ang dating para silang magkapatid o matagal ng magkaibigan.
Of all the Pangasinan politicians we have known it’s only Lacay who exuded spontaneity in his fraternal dealings with fellow public servants. Walang halong plastikan ika nga.
He was no doubt the dictator’s Number One ally, but who would not be in those martial law years? But if we take full account of the way he conducted himself as minister of agrarian reform, we could say without fear of contradiction that he never abandoned the little tao. In the many political conflicts where he figured in, the lacay always conducted himself above board… walang patalikod na gawa, they say. He belonged to the old school and he excelled in it.
Wala ng tatalo sa kanyang regular chats with the masa when he was mayor of Rosales, governor of the province and Agrarian Reform secretary.
His family led now by Lola Sergia, sons Jojo and Jimmy, daughter
Bernadette and the late former Congressman Robert, father of illustrious son former Congressman Conrad and partylist solon Eskimo and the entire family will surely miss his fatherly presence and guidance.
So long Lacay Condring. May your rest in peace.
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In our last column, there was an obvious misprint that said former Senator Leticia R Shahani missed the boat that was to deliver her P200,000 donation to the then ongoing regional drug rehab center inn Burgos town.
The money, our intelligence source told us, was flagged down somewhere in Sta. Barbara town and nothing was left for the intended purpose. Someone allegedly pocketed it. Kinatos da, kuay Molly.
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We heard that during a Philippine Information Agency forum in Quezon City last week which had CHED chair Patricia Licuanan as guest speaker, a DZXL broadcaster who looked like Manny Celso, shot a question concerning her handling of the controversy-wracked Pangasinan State University president who is sticking to his post like a tuko amidst clamor for him to quit after completing his term. We heard the much-maligned controversial president who was to step down late this month had been hopping from office to office begging for signatures for him to extend his presidency for another term. Ay apple juice, Joseph, kababaing met la, Atty. Juancho! So many issues were raised in that national forum, one of which was his opening without a permit of the Alaminos branch that has scandalized educators and the public in this province. This complaint re-surfaced in the last press club forum when CHED Director Caridad Abuan confirmed that the Alaminos branch indeed is operating illegally.
Licuanan assured the forum that correct and appropriate action will be taken by her office regarding the PSU head case.
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