Think about it
Ashok Vasandani is Dagupan mayoral timber
By Jun Velasco
“A nation without a knowledge of its past and forbears will have an uncertain future,” – Anon
THE tragic life of former child actor Jiro Manio, most everyone’s “idolo” who played the lead role in the award-winning “Magnifico” film is a painful stab on everyone’s heart.
Manio’s fall from grace was due to the much condemned drug menace that is surely gnawing the vitality of the nation.
Conversations with Provincial Director Rollie Saltat and Dagupan Police Chief Chris Abrahano do not fail to identify the common culprit for dastardly crimes, but no breakthrough is ever achieved in the likes of the successful Sto. Tomas experience.
Parents, mothers, especially, including disinterested parties who were Manio’s fans shed a tear while reading the recent PDI account on the young man, who was spotted wandering along the NAIA terminal 3 begging for food and clothes.
President Aquino should put priority to Manio’s fate as a sign of something inevitable that is slowly gobbling up the nation’s life. Manio’s case is much worse than the much-lamented corruption in our political system.
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Indian-Filipino business/civic leader Ashok Vasandani’s installation as Rotary Club of Downtown Dagupan president has sent fears to local leaders he might be eyeing the mayorship.
His induction last June 30 at Lenox Hotel was met though with quizzical eyebrows since he was president of the Rotary Club of Central Pangasinan in 2009-2010.
It’s a given AV is that acceptable even after a falling out with Central Pangasinan’s “politburo” that triggered his departure from the club. Observers say he will breathe new fire and life into Downtown Rotary. His persona exudes elan vital and infectious enthusiasm that could pull even any cynic to his side. This past president of More Than Conquerors, founded by brod Norman and headed by his brod Rocky, is a community leader par excellence.
A Filipino-Indian dual citizen, he brings into Downtown the pacifist philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and the incomparable love of La Patria by Jose Rizal. Ashok, by the way, is an admired member of our Knights of Rizal- Dagupan convenors group.
Because of his omnipresence, he is even being touted as a shoo-in bet for vice mayor under Mayor Belen Fernandez, if Brian Lim is too busy with the Jaycees.
Cumpadre Ashok, take a bow.
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We received yesterday a call from former Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal Bert Nanquil, chairman of the KoR Council of Leaders, in a bid to draw up a stand against some Manila gov’t officials and DMCI in connection with the controversial Torre de Manila building that blocks public view of the hero’s monument.
It’s surely a bruising clash between Big Business whose 49-story Torre is almost finished and the Knights of Rizal and the National Historical Commission.
It’s a fight between David and Goliath. You know who in Bible times won.
The outcome of the case, now in the Supreme Court, the Round One won by the Knights of Rizal, will show how our government still treats our National Hero.
We mentioned this subject in our introduction of June 19 speaker Mel Jovellanos at the monument of Jose Rizal, with the Free Masons lustily applauding.
Will SC decide in favor of big business or La Patria, finally?
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NOTES: Writer-journalist Mita S. Duque has announced President Hotel (named after former president FVR) will be weekly Kapihan venue soon. The hotel is next-door to FVR’s ancestral home along Maramba Blvd. also named after former – was he the first? – Pangasinan Governor Daniel Maramba. Descendant Ed Maramba, president of Philippine Association of Fish Pr4oducers, Inc. (PAFPI), says the Marambas were “imports” from Africa…..
Dagupan historian Christine Gomez is about to complete her magnum opus, History of Dagupan City. Her high school mate Jojo Tandoc Cornel, daughter of former BIR officer Nony Cornel and former DCNHS principal Perla T. Cornel says the heir apparent of Resty Basa was actually writing for her children until a sense of duty for beloved city has taken hold of her heart completely.”
(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)
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