Playing with Fire
LNU and Vice Gov. Ferdie Calimlim
By Gonzalo Duque
WE are in a festive mood these days. Why?
Lyceum Northwestern University, now the fastest emerging most scenic university in Pangasinan, has just observed its university week.
We thank the students, the faculty, and the parents and most of all, you dear patrons and visitors, for making us what we are today. VJ, pogi son of our partner in the press club, Ashok Vansandani, brought the Parokya ni Edgar to the LNU students, and what a delightful phenomenon that was.
Due to the event, more people were able to see first-hand what we have been doing in the school. We don’t want to blow our own horn, that’s self-serving; better visit us, so you’ll know what we mean.
The way to the campus is now via a new gate beside Rubis Restaurant, and immediately as soon as you enter, you’ll run smack into a picturesque and scenic campus. A lot of people come and pose for souvenir pictures. Kayo rin, pag di kayo pumunta rito, you’re missing one half of your life.
No less than our dashing Vice Guv’nor Ferdie Calimlim was our anniversary guest of honor and speaker. Magaling palang makihalobilo ito, mga igan. Pang governor.
Don’t mistake his amiable, quiet and unassuming persona, mga igan. Malalim ya, singa ama ton datin Chief of Staff and director general of the Presidential Security Command, the late General Jose Calimlim.
You’ll recall how Ferdie, then outstanding mayor of small town Mapandan, wormed his way to the top to become Governor Spines’ runningmate. Matindin laban iman, mga abay. But he made it with flying colors, and his performance as vice governor is second to none. Akatawir, mga igan. Sharp, systematic, dynamic, youthful, circumspect and visionary. Don’t be surprised if one day, gobernnador na.
He fits his post to a T, with a very workaholic Governor Spines as his teammate. Their team is much admired, very effective, as if made in heaven. Para silang soulmates. Ferdie would refer to Gob. Spines “as like my erpat.” Parehong ex-military officers. But soft at heart, super bait, that’s Ferdie’s description of Spines.
Kaya, he says, at home na at home sa job niya.
One proof Ferdie is smart and political suave is his reaction to media’s question regarding the controversial black sand mining issue in Lingayen. His snappy reply is there’s a case and therefore he is not in a position to talk about it. Sub judice, kuan. Most of the media people thought he’d collapse from the weight of the subject. Angapo, parang angapo. Ag nancomentaryo agagui ed masalimoot ya topic. Talagang defensive sana.
So, you see, we find Ferdie a great leader in the making. Even his handling of the provincial board sessions is quite smooth and snappy. With brilliant vocales the likes of Alfie Bince, Jaming Libunao, Ming Rosario, and the peripatetic Ranjit Shahani, you’d be floored with their legalisms and witticisms. But not Ferdie who is fully armed with the humanities and encyclopedic mind.
Singa met la ya kampanya amo, you ask. Well, singa, although after the next gubernatorial polls, Ferdie might be facing Congressman Pol Bataoil, who is also a suave, charming, brilliant, outstanding politician in future gubernatorial fight. Yes, fearless forecast yan.
Matira ang matibay. But for sure, Ferdie won’t be a push over. Neither Pol Bat. Which is which, rather who is who? Manggogo tayoy ulo tayo salo?
By the way, Ferdie was also a guest of the Pangasinan Press Club Forum, “Media in Action.” Pareho so komento daray kakaibad media. Matinik, amiable, ok lan ontagam ya gobernador. He was able to answer all questions with an air of authority, to the point, very proper yet low key and very humble, admirable and loveable kwanda ray bibii.
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