By Eva. C. Visperas

 

IT’S been years when I last visited Urbiztondo town.

My last big coverage in the area was when Mayor Jun Balolong was gunned down in 2014.

Of course, how can I ever forget my discreet operations for the De Lima-Dayang love story that happened also in Urbiztondo?

So when I was invited to cover Senator Imee Marcos’ activity in the town, I gladly accepted as I have been longing, too, to visit the place after almost 10 years.

I was entering Urbiztondo, something caught my attention. The welcome arc had two words written on it that struck me: Pasimbalo Urbiztondo.

Pasimbalo is a Pangasinan word which means change, one that denotes a change of character for the better. It hits the core of the heart.

I often hear that word in Church during Lenten season. “Pasimbalo” again but in Urbiztondo.

Anyway, there was some confusion in the senator’s schedule because I found myself and other media colleagues early in the designated venue.

So, we took the chance to try our luck to see Mayor Moding Operania in his office. Voila, he was there and was happy to see us! We had small talk over a cup of coffee and hot pan de sal.

I asked about “Pasimbalo Urbiztondo” and true enough, it was something new Mayor Moding introduced.

He said it was about a change in the character of a person, something that makes him better, something that the town in the long run will benefit from.

Mayor Moding is a senior citizen who defeated his youthful opponent in the May 2022 polls.

He was perhaps destined to be mayor because he recalled how he was hesitant, even up to the last minute, to file his candidacy.

He won overwhelmingly. But he is not new to politics as he had served as councilor and vice mayor, if my recollection of his story was correct.

Even when he was still among the top honchos of the two former governors in Pangasinan, Mayor Moding was known to be humble. Maginoo, hindi sya mayabang, a trademark he was known for during his stint at the Capitol.

Now that he is the mayor, he makes it his mission to make the town peaceful, to make people know they can roam around freely without any fear at any given time. A change.

He starts with himself, with the employees at the town hall, people in the market, in the barangays or anywhere else in the town. And, he wants his kabaleyan to see and feel the difference.

I looked around the municipal hall area, and I see no big physical improvements. There was nothing extraordinary in the physical appearance of the town hall, inside and out.

But the townfolks see a tall man with a big heart, someone who is like their big brother or father or kabarkada.

Clearly, the big pasimbalo is starting with the change of heart in serving the people, from the discipline and attitude in dealing with the people. It’s something that cannot be seen by the eyes but can be felt by the heart.

Pasimbalo is starting with every citizen of Urbiztondo.

It is to make a big difference so people like us from the outside can really feel that there is something big, something beautiful, something good that’s happening in Urbiztondo.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments