Punchline
Spines and the veterans
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
IF there is one legacy that former Gov. Amado Espino Jr (now 5th District congressman) will surely be remembered for, it was his vision to memorialize not only the heroism and patriotism of Pangasinan veterans during the WW II, but the dramatic event in January 9, 1945 as well that turned the tide and led to the eventual liberation of the country from the Japanese military occupation forces.
Indeed, before the Espino administration, our veterans were hardly remembered even on National Heroes Day. The wrinkled faces of our veterans were never given a second look, worse they did not get a support due them for decades.
With the support of the Philippine Veterans Bank, our veterans finally began to receive the recognition they deserve from a grateful province and country since 2007.
Take a bow, Cong Spines and PVB!
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MACATHUR, NOT THE ONLY HERO. The choice of Dr. Viven Villaflor as guest speaker for the commemoration of the 72nd Lingayen Gulf Landing and Pangasinan Veterans’ Day was a good one.
He represented the second generation of families of our veterans, and was himself a recipient of the education benefit awarded to members of families of veterans. His father served in the medical corps of Col. Windel Fertig of the Mindanao Command during World War II.
His view, therefore, of how the nation has taken to the plight of veterans and vignettes of the war came like a breath of fresh air. Notably, his view of the non-stop contentious debate about where General MacArthur first set foot in Pangasinan was an eye-opener.
He noted the preoccupation of MacArthur-watchers in the province in finding eyewitnesses and accounts that would bolster claims of either side – the ‘MacArthur landed in Dagupan’ or the ‘MacArthur landed in Lingayen’.
He wisely pointed out while MacArthur was the general in command who promised Filipinos “I shall return,” it was the 68,000 fighting men of the 6th U.S. Army that set foot first on the long coastline of Pangasinan and braved the bullets, fired back and marched on or died on the shore of the Lingayen Gulf. They crawled on the sands of Sual, Bugallon, Lingayen, Binmaley, Dagupan to San Fabian.
He eloquently diverted everyone’s attention back to the lowly infantrymen, the medics, the barge drivers, etc. In brief, he made everyone recall to memory the veterans who died and who survived while following MacArthur’s orders, they who really first set foot on our waters to liberate the country.
The memorial park in Lingayen and the history wall of the Philippine Veterans Bank in Lingayen are all the evidence and facts that point to all that we need to know – who should be remembered and honored.
General MacArthur may have given the liberation forces a face but it wasn’t he who waded ashore at the risk of getting wounded or killed by Japanese bullets or bombs.
As Dr. Viven aptly suggested, let’s move on from MacArthur… remember how and where the battles were won, put up markers where they deserve to be and salute the memories of those who died and those who survived. And if communities can remember the names of those who fought in those battles, that would be the highest honor a community can bestow on those heroes.
MacArthur? He was a great military leader who returned as promised. Thank you.
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NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS? What’s the latest on the war on drugs in Pangasinan?
The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office has been mum about the progress of Double Barrel and Operation Tokhang in the province. In fact, when The PUNCH attempted to get new updates, we were asked to write a letter citing our need for specific updates.
So we did. We wrote that open letter here last week. Still all quiet in the frontline.
In sharp contrast, President Duterte and PNP chief Bato dela Rosa are constantly updating media on each new phase of the war. Both recently have bristled at intelligence reports that many mayors and barangay kapitans continue to protect drug operations in their towns.
In this regard, one wonders how much have the gentlemen at the PPPO contributed to that intelligence report submitted to the President?
Indeed, how many mayors and kapitans has PPPO identified as among the protectors of drug trade in their communities? Closer to home, has PD Ronald Lee identified the rogue cops under him who continue to provide cover for their political patrons?
Is it possible that no drug suspect has been eliminated by legit operations or by unidentified hitmen?
So far, Dagupan’s acting police chief P/Supt. Neil Miro has seen to regularly update the media and residents of this station’s progress. Out of the 31 barangays, he has certified as true the claims of 28 barangay councils that drug trading has completely ceased in those communities.
He assured City Mayor Belen Fernandez that any report of backsliding will be looked into promptly. There’s a hardworking chief for you!
Aren’t there others? The PUNCH will welcome progress reports from any and city/town police chief. Surely, their regional chief (and chief PNP Bato) would be happy to note their progress reports to their communities as well.
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BABY BOOMERS’ REUNIONS. It is heartwarming and really fun to see and hear of elementary and high school graduates of circa 50s and 60s – the baby boomer generation – getting together these days.
In fact, the funniest jokes around them are usually how their former “crush” in the 50s and 60s look today. The talks behind those with the new looks can send everyone laughing in tears. There are notes on facelifts, fake or disappearing boobs. Worn out toupees and topless shine. The somber topic is always who died recently and from what? The favorite topic is always how one is coping with his or her diabetes, arthritis, memory lapses, bouts with incontinence and energy with grand kids.
Sex is now but a part of senior humor, because anyone who brags about conquests without Viagra is quickly shunned. Gossips abound about classmates who rediscovered each other after their spouses left them. Rheumatism is easily forgotten among high school classmates when throwback (retro) music is played.
In sum, any reunion among 60 years and older is always fun!
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NO HAS-BEEN. Our Fire Player Gonz Duque has shown to all and sundry that he is far from being a has-been in politics and in business.
He scored a grand coup that only a man of his stature can achieve. He netted President Duterte and Ex-President Gloria Arroyo to be in in one church, at the same time and sit together on his behalf – to stand as principal sponsors in his son Gonzalito’s wedding last January 8.
I can’t wait to see how his own 45th wedding anniversary will look like. I wonder how many women will cry when they hear him renew his vows to loving wife Ruth. That’s to show, his deadly charm is still far from being a ‘has-been’. Take a bow, Gonz!
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