Think about it
Make that Jaycee tenet work
By Jun Velasco
“The company of just and upright men is better than wealth and a rich estate.”- Euripides.
TWO or more people called our attention to the role of the intelligentsia in influencing public opinion especially during the election season.
“Nada,” the duo said.
It struck us as tragic this commentary—voters choose their candidates based more on immediate considerations, i.e., bribe, money, dictates from parents or ward leaders, personal relationship with the candidate/s – than conscience or knowledge of the candidates’ credentials.
“Don’t believe that voters are influenced by enlightened opinions,” one said, in which case, most of these things we are doing to help shape enlightened opinions go to naught?
It’s only their opinion, but it can give us an idea on how a community behaves in the forthcoming elections.
As Voltaire has said, in a tribute to democracy, “I may disagree with you, but I will defend to death your right to say it.”
* * * *
Something good happened in the Jaycees of Dagupan last week.
Ernie Llanillo, 2010 Dagupan Bangus Jaycees Inc., president, told us that true to the theme of the National Jaycees headed by its president, our very own Ryan Ravanzo, the city’s young leaders broke (political) party lines in the name of Jayceeism at the induction of Councilor Brian Lim as Bangus JC’s president.
Brian replaced Roland Dizon. Guest of Honor Senator Koko Pimentel, past member of Manila Jaycees, couldn’t have been more pleased. Ditto with Brian’s father, Mayor Benjie Lim, who was past national JC president.
Ernie Llanillo, doting son of our cumpadre Esting Llanillo, told us Councilor Alfie Fernandez, pp of Bangus Jaycees, and fellow dad Alvin Coquia, pp of JC’s Inc., lent credence to everyone’s wish for a re-unified Dagupan JC’s.
Adding glamour to Ryan’s “Inspire the Nation” theme, were his fellow incorporated’s outgoing president Marvin Carvajal and successor lady president Ruby Laguit, who were present.
In 1979, when Dagupan Inc., produced the most outstanding Jaycee in the person of the late Eddie Crisologo, our chapter bagged nine national awards including outstanding chapter president (Dammy Magbual), outstanding publication (The Medium) of which we were its editor (ahem) and others. Our Al Fernandez was then elected vice president of the Asia Pacific Jaycees.
As Charles Dickens would exult, “it was the best of times… it was the worst of times…” because that special moment would mark its split into the Dagupan Jaycees Inc. led by Alex Villaflor, Gonzalo Duque and Chito Samson, and the Bangus JC’s of Dagupan Inc. led by Raffy Villamil and Benjie Lim.
The Dagupan Jaycees have indeed come a long way. For all we know, the shape and character of our city was in a way influenced by the Jaycees.
A JCI tenet which has struck us with cutting relevance these days runs thus, “that government should be of laws and not of men.” We hope our Jaycee-made politicians will not lose sight of that dictum.
* * * *
Partisan politics almost marred the groundbreaking rites for a P5-million 7-room building of the Pantal Elementary School, which was a gift of Rep. Gina de Venecia and donor Petronila Lim, a widower. Kapitana Lilia Yasar, who should have been the first to welcome the party, could hardly be seen in the premises.
In their speech, Congresswoman Gina and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez extolled Ms. Lim’s virtue as a woman with a big, big heart who cares for the young. Of course, the initiative was Rep. Gina’s. Gypsy texted us “Petronila Lim is a bosom friend of Congresswoman Gina. Already 80 and a nurse by profession, she was married to a successful Chinese who was a native of Barangay Pantal, but who has passed away. They have three sons, who are all accomplished in their own right. A soft spoken woman, well read and very interesting to talk to, she ok’d the GPV’s request to give back to her husband’s community by donating funds to build school buildings for the natives of Pantal. She believes that education is a person’s ticket out of poverty.”
Councilor bet Solo de Venecia called up to inform that Bishop Soc Villegas will officiate a thanksgiving mass at the Capilya na San Pascual in barangay Pogo Grande, Dagupan City on Feb. 3 at 8 a.m. He says the objective is to “renew our Catholic faith.”… Another Councilor-bet Marlyn Manaois-Reyna, doting ma of Councilor Dada, is “life of the Liberal Party” because of her infectious humor…. Our kin Bobby Llamas, NP bet for councilor is banking on the big FERCOLLA Clan, to stage victory in the elections.
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