A few great men

Atty. Farah G. Decano

 

“FARAH, when you fight evil, evil fights back.

Just fight evil, nevertheless. Larga!”

These are the wise words that Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz imparted to me as I went through a nerve-wracking episode in my life. It’s been 18 years since he spoke these words, yet they remain in my heart – indelibly-ingrained, forever-etched, akin to the scar on Harry Potter’s forehead that glows as a reminder of one’s inner strength and power.

“Farah, when you fight evil, evil fights back. Just fight evil, nevertheless. Larga!”

How can I forget this snippet of wisdom?

Sometime in 2002, Archbishop Cruz invited me to his residence to discuss a poison letter he received about me. I was then a city councilor. The letter was a personal attack. tagging me as improper.  That piece of trashy literature challenged my ability to continue holding a public position.

Bishop Cruz thought that the main issue raised in the letter was irrelevant and had nothing to do with one’s qualifications as a public servant. He was not swayed to start a bandwagon of condemnation against me.  He did not pass judgment on my person.  He saw my humanity and the wholeness of my being.  Instead, he asked what could be the possible motive behind the letter. I admitted I was against a certain big project that reeked of corruption.  I showed him documentary evidence and he was persuaded.

Eventually, I discovered that it was another public official, at someone’s behest, who sent the letter to neutralize me.  Laughably, this individual projected on me what he could not admit about himself.

From then on, I found an ally in Archbishop Cruz.  Friendship blossomed. I found myself frequently visiting his office; discussing local politics; and asking for advice. Whenever I went to his office unannounced, he’d quietly excuse himself from meetings, if he was in one, and asked me what my concern was.  He also connected me to Jesuit and noted constitutionalist, Father Joaquin Bernas, in my campaign to have my proposed Anti-Flesh Trade Ordinance enacted by then-Sanggunian Panglungsod.  Archbishop Cruz was also a witty man. He once greeted a colleague in the government like this, “may you have many more birthdays to come, but not too much that no one would cry when you die.”

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Last month, we celebrated the second death anniversary of Mayor Alipio “Al” F. Fernandez, Jr. He was posthumously given the label, “Pinablin Ama Ya Dagupan,” through an ordinance sponsored by then-Councilor Brian Kua.   

That Mayor Al reaped many prestigious awards and occupied strategic positions is a fact known to many. To me, however, he earned the moniker “beloved father of Dagupan” because of the genuine kindness he showed to everyone. He sent food to the employees who worked overtime for certain projects and during calamities.  He sat down with ordinary folks and chatted with them for hours. He gave importance to people, regardless of their social standing.

I once saw him in Pedritos. He invited me to join him and have coffee with him. Then, he fished out a ball pen clipped to his polo and asked “Farah, remember this?” I was astounded. Despite the numerous gifts he received from many people who adored him, he used and valued the writing implement I gave him several years ago.  

He had many gestures – big and small – that touched the people around him.  I will always remember him as the mayor who firmly but compassionately implemented the laws. No gimmick, no media blitz. He always put the humanity of the constituency before and above his political and personal interests.

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If one talks about the Pinablin Ama ya Dagupan, remembering my father, Atty. Hermogenes S. Decano, cannot be far behind.  He was the father I shared with many.  He had this certain charisma that drew people to him and considered him as their second father. People frequented our house not just to consult about their legal problems; but to seek advice on life, marriage, career, among others.

As a lawyer, he represented the poor and the rich with the same level of passion and competence. He was then in the ICU of UST, very sick of pneumonia, when he directed me to go home to Dagupan City to represent an indigent client.  How could one prioritize others in that very sick state? Even if I wanted to continue watching over him, I obediently but agonizingly travelled home to do as he instructed.

Atty. Decano was also the lawyers’ lawyer. He entertained early morning calls from fellow lawyers who sought guidance about their cases before he himself went to court.  In my legal practice, I remember what he uttered in one of his media interviews, “A man without food can go to sleep but one who is denied justice cannot.”  

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Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez, Jr., and Atty. Hermogenes S. Decano, I have seen, spoke, and dealt with them, up close and personal. I am proud to say that I lived during the time of Great Men of Dagupan City.

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