Playing with Fire
History should precede tourism
By Gonzalo Duque
A NOT-so-funny encounter took place at Pedrito’s recently.
Bobby Uson: “Forgive them for they no not what they do.”
GTD: “Forgive them for falsely accusing their neighbor.”
Such is the beauty of democracy especially in the practice of community journalism. You meet the people you tackle in your media commentaries.
Well, to Bobby, brother of our late confidant, Judge Gary Uson, we give this fraternal advice: observe fairness all the time and don’t be presumptuous.
In the spirit of the season and solidarity with our suffering countrymen, we extend to one and all Merry Christmas!
* * * *
It was a most busy week last week.
On December 3, we were at the launching of a book dealing with the history and culture of Sta. Barbara at the town’s parish. We had a lively exchange with Archbishop Soc Villegas and Vice Gov. Ferdie Calimlim.
Why the excitement on the history of a community?
Well, for one you can’t see the future without studying the past.
It’s for this reason that we applaud Gov. Spines for mobilizing the history-conscious among us to impart to our youth and the future generation the great past of our province.
We are all aware of government’s effort in promoting tourism, this how-to-sell your town and city to the world.
If you ask us, the town’s history, culture and arts should take precedence over tourism because the past defines the future.
In Dagupan City, this columnist has been tasked by Mayor Belen Fernandez to do a similar job for Dagupan’s history, arts and culture. It’s an exhilarating assignment, if you ask us.
This “history” subject reminds us of our earlier efforts to make our mark in the integration of local history with the education curriculum. We remember having written, then DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapuz to integrate local history with the DepEd’s instructional materials.
But for reasons only known to him, the secretary did not reply to our letter, and the P10-million expenditure spent for the project went to naught.
At this juncture, still at the Sta. Barbara affair, Vice Gov. Ferdie Calimlim took out his cellphone and called up DepEd Admin Luistro and lo and behold, that call paved the way for a MOA signing in January to finally realize the “integration” idea.
Cross your fingers that the idea will succeed. It will make the province probably the first in the country to have such kind of historic program—a feather in the cap of the province under Gov. Spines.
Mabuhay!
* * * *
Re this persistent rumor that Guv Spines is planning to run for congressmen in the 4th district, we got straight from the horse’s month: Not true!
* * * *
We were elated to know that former Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez is one of LNU’s successful board passers for high school teachers.
Congrats, Alvin, and Congrats erpat Al Fernandez and ermat, Mina!
Knowing the guy, we know he’d make a good teacher and later, launch, as he is now in the sophomore year in law, also at LNU, a law career.
The young man is an intellectual and, given the chance in the field of law, he’d make a good judge or justice, later, who knows.
If you ask us, Alvin is best fit for a judge or justice work, not politics which has been tarnished in this country almost beyond repair by our thieving politicians.
We used to joke him as maeta in politics, but in law—and that’s an entirely different ball game—lutong luto na si Alvin.
Good luck, Alvin!
* * * *
We had an interesting chat with the Civil Service people. They say there is now a program to professionalize public service in accordance with Republic Act 6656, which calls for government reorganization to stress merit and performance in government service.
Dapat lang ano? Bagay na bagay ito sa Dagupan, kasi madaming nagha-hide and seek dito. Pag nakatalikod si mayora, sinisiraan siya tulad ng mga Rowenas. O, nagpla-plano ng para sa bulsa at wala sa madla.
Now, if this proposed law will see the light of day, at tanging si Mayora ang mag-gre-grade or mag-re-rate ng performance ng employees, promotion or expulsion agad, wala nang koskos balongos pa.
Allow us to show this actual experience—an interview with the 43 SP employees.
The question was about job description.
Employee 1: Taga xerox po ako.
Employee 2: Taga bantay ng taga xerox.
Employee 3: Taga timpla ng cape!
With this kind of people in City Hall, inatey so angabi!
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