Think about it
The passing scene
By Jun Velasco
“The perfection of virtue is to conceal virtue.”—Quintilian
TWO recent events struck us like a solid straight-from-the-shoulder punch, ala Manny Pacquiao’s dizzying shot.
They are, the passing at 93 last Tuesday of former Agrarian Reform Minister Conrado Favis Estrella, fondly called Lakay Condring, and the heartbreaking resignation last Wednesday of a model Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus, 76, of the Transportation and Communications Department from President Aquino’s cabinet.
Both are stars, the lakay, a much-admired public servant for several years, and Ping a circumspect cabinet secretary with an unblemished record, a rare find nowadays. Both their cases have made a grip on us with untold grief.
We emphasize the verisimilitude of both because their departure from their respective turfs has further diminished the number of model public officials or men of character in our beleaguered country.
It’s sad that there are many who insult the intelligence for their lack of shame in occupying high government posts with little regard to ability, preparedness for the job and a sense of responsibility and patriotism.
We first met the lakay in the late 60’s through an esteemed friend, then greenhorn publisher Alfie Bince whom the former minister lately teased as “eternal board member” — or did he mean, “forever bored member?” Frankly our first meeting was highlighted by our having been inducted into his stable of “consultants” in the agrarian department.
Big deal huh, we were a consultant of the l5-30 variety, but Alfie would rationalize the setup as Lakay’s “gesture of appreciating talent.” There was only one occasion, we remember, when he gave us a partisan job, Region 1 media handler during the Marcos-sponsored election of assemblymen. Actually, what we only did was to make dispatches about political goings-on in the north which was easily dominated by Bung Ferdinand’s political party.
The lakay gifted us with a trip to Taiwan later to study land reform. When we told him that our American and Chinese professors of the Taoyuan-based Land Reform Training Institute exempted us from the class so that we could make a round of Taiwan like a visiting envoy, the lakay told us that he had already received an overseas phone call from our professors.
Later he introduced us to National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose, his boyhood townmate in Rosales. We are related to Jose’s wife, who comes from the Jovellanos-Llamas families in Dagupan.
Lakay and us would often meet at Club Filipino, where we were a consultant (that word again) during the presidency of lawyer Ramon Maronilla, whose friendship we gained in the Philippine Jaycees. Lakay and us are members of Kapihan sa Klub, a prestigious breakfast forum of Club Filipino.
As champion of Philippine agrarian reform, Lakay Condring liberally inspired the landless to become productive farm leaders. We saw his extra big heart when he worked with the common tao, never showing any superior air, giving meaning to Christ’s teaching of humility.
Last Wednesday afternoon, we were at the office of Ping de Jesus’ info czar, brod Usec Dante, who did a round-the-clock report of the boss’ excruciating decision to resign from the department.
Under his almost a year stint, the department has corrected redundant job descriptions, giving DOTC a hard-hitting lean and mean organization.
We were introduced to the self-effacing Ping during a DOTC presscon by brod as an ardent supporter from the media. He was affable, a kind of person you’d feel comfortable with.
We first met Ping at the height of the rehab work in Pangasinan in the early 90’s. He was then DPWH secretary consulting Speaker Joe de Venecia, Gov. Rafael Colet, then DOTC secretary Oscar Orbos and Mayor Al Fernandez in colossal effort to rehabilitate earthquake-damaged province. He was business-like dishing out instructions, a work ethic he reintroduced to his 11 months at the DOTC.
Many are still in the dark why he resigned at this time. It will be a big loss for the government that’s facing an uphill fight restoring normalcy in a damaged bureaucracy.
Many believe Ping couldn’t swallow the policy and decided to leave. We hope the nation will be able to quickly recover from its bearings.
* * * *
Texas-based Leo Palaganas, faithful friend and high school classmate, called from Misquite, Texas to announce the death of his older brother Tony of Galveston, Texas due to a lingering if strange sickness. He was 72. His body was already cremated and buried next to that of his first wife Miriam who died a few years ago. We met Manong Tony in l969 at the Palaganas apartment in San Marcelino, Ermita, Manila where we were a transient being a regular Manila traveler. It’s been 40 years, but the memory sticks because of enduring friendship and love. A local columnist wrote there are many birthday celebrations these days. He forgot to say that their number only balances the record of those who have left the scene. Our sincerest sympathy and prayers for Manong Tony’s eternal rest.
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