Think about it
Daang matuwid here, there and everywhere
By Jun Velasco
Don’t stay with friends who cheat or do what’s base. Stay with noble friends; stay with the best. —Dhammapada 78
WE found our self on Bonuan Beach at 5:30am Friday wondering why Dagupenos do not patronize this beautiful gift from God that’s beckoning them day and night midst!
Still dark then, but the unfolding sunrise, the waves, the scent of dawn, memories were enthralling.
Let’s urge whoever wins the mayoral race to prioritize the meaningful development of Bonuan beach!
We urge early morning walkers to try it and recoup from your many missed morning walks in this place of a lifetime.
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We were able to get a copy — the very last print copy – of Newsweek Magazine’s Dec.30, 2012 issue. It filled us with utter melancholia. The mag has gone digital, courtesy of the US’ plummeting economy. You will now only see its rival Time in the stands, but talks are going on it might follow suit shortly.
We are luckier at home. President Pnoy’s obsessive drive for “Daang Matuwid” is turning the economy around; has awakened their bearings and provided sinews and muscle to a Marcos slogan – ironically – “this nation can be great again!”
By the way, we were in jovial company at the send-off bash for Philippine Information Agency North Luzon Director Abe Libadia in Bauang, La Union Monday evening.
Enlivened by the presence of Philippine Communications Operating Office Sec. Sonny Coloma, who engaged PIA staff/ personnel in heart-to-heart empowerment talk, the send-off showed Abe a well-loved boss. His successor, Jenalyn Dole, showed preparedness that could only come from a well-organized management team.
Thank you, PIA Dagupan boss Venus Sarmiento, daughter of a former PIA institution and favorite writer Behn Fer Hortaleza; PIA exec director Ben Pacris, our Knights of Rizal brother, Mr. And Mrs Ed Ang-Angco of the PNRC and many more who made our visit enjoyable.
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Politics in Dagupan City is sometimes called Battle of the Malls between two Chinese businessmen. Part of globalization?
As of this writing, we received a report that some 18, 000 registered Dagupan voters were found fake by the Comelec. They are now to be hailed to court for making — or being forced to make — a mockery of our election laws! Shades of Belen Tamondong?
Certain Sectors, in their mad desire to win at all costs wouldn’t mind selling their souls to the devil.
Remember the warning, “ what would a profit a man who gains the world but loses his soul?”
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Meanwhile, that big Reyna rally for Belen Fernandez is hurting Benjie Lim’s armor. We heard other families — Manaois, Fernandez, Samson, Duque, etc – are planning to hold similar rallies for Belen.
What happened to Benjie’s hold of these orig Dagupan families? If we know him, he will downplay the families’ act by showing Dagupan as an already mixed culture, and that victory in the election depends solely on logistics.
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Board member Ming Rosario has shifted his area of service from the Capitol to his hometown of Manaoag, where he is seeking the mayoral position.
Brimming with idealism and a grand vision to develop this religious town into a world destination the likes of Fatima and Medjugorje, Ming has a socio-civic outreach – Lucy Eye Care – which has benefitted hundreds of beneficiaries, who now compose his army of campaigners.
It’s a pity, he says, because there’s a law that declared Manaoag a Pilgrimage City, but no organized and detailed plan has been worked out or implemented to make it real.
“If we are lucky, we’ll surely do it, “ he said, his man Friday Dino Zabala nodding approvingly.
“Ming is not a Rosario for nothing in a Marian town,” Dino added.
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NOTES: Rest in peace, kin and colleague Zarsi Manuel, quiet worker, intellectual, artist, political adviser and friend. The much-admired father of Manny Celso died last week of a lingering illness.
Let’s pray for his soul.
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