By Eva C. Visperas

 

THE municipal hall of Calasiao suddenly became alive again. Someone so familiar, whose family they have learned to love and adore, arrived.

The day Patrick Caramat came to the Comelec office to file his COC as barangay captain of Nalsian, Calasiao on September 1, it was evident it signaled the dawn of a new era. In my more than 30 years as a reporter, I am yet to witness such warmth, joy and excitement from loyal supporters, barangay folks, municipal employees, for someone filing his COC as kapitan.

Yes, candidates for governors and mayors surely had their own share of excitement on COC filing days but seeing a big cheering crowd for someone eyeing an elective post only as kapitan, was definitely a record, a first time.

I watched the Facebook live post of Patrick’s COC filing. I was moved to tears as I remembered the time when his mom filed her candidacy for mayor of Calasiao for the 2022 polls. I was there and I knew Maya Caramat, would be the next mayor of Calasiao.

And she won. Her son Patrick became her municipal administrator, her alter ego. Their unparalleled and unselfish service became the talk of the town, in and out of Pangasinan, especially when Mayora Maya generously put up that grandiose Dubai-inspired Miracle Garden for the town’s Christmas Village with her personal funds. However, her brand of public service was short-lived but left an indelible mark among Calasiaoeños.

When Mayora Maya suddenly passed away in January this year, the whole town cried, deeply mourned her loss. I was there and it again moved me to tears. Nakakatindig balahibo talaga yung dami ng nakiramay at nakilibing. It was as if they lost a dear sister or a mom.

Many wondered if they will still be able to have another Caramat to serve them. Sadness gripped the town.

Few months later, when Typhoon Egay caused severe flooding in Calasiao, I saw videos of Patrick unloading truckloads of eggs, fresh bangus, rice, and other relief goods, and distributing relief packs to his barangaymates. He and his jolly Caramat team personally went house-to-house to deliver the assistance. It was reminiscent of the time Mayora Maya showed how much she cared for her barangaymates at the height of the COVID pandemic.

So when the filing of COC for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30 came, everyone cheered, chanted, applauded Patrick like a he was a candidate filing his COC for mayor. There were “good luck” decorative balloons and confetti, too. I heard a chant of “Isa pa” from the crowd.

There were non-stop photo-ops with him, selfies, groufies. Everybody wanted to have pictures with Patrick, the new celebrity.

He filed unopposed, like his late mom when she first served as kapitana of Nalsian.

When she ran for Liga ng mga Barangay president, she was again unchallenged. Will Patrick also tread the political path of his mom?

On September 9, I was with Orly of DWIZ to interview Patrick. That was my first time to interview him. He was impressive, for someone not used to being the center of topic.

Back then, I already wondered why people have that special fondness for Patrick. Well, he was Mayora Maya’s secret weapon who has his own style of dealing with people and despite his young age, 25 summers old only, he already developed a unique rapport with the people. Kaya pala!

I asked Patrick if he is eyeing next the Liga presidency like his mom. He said he is not thinking about it yet but if the majority of the elected kapitans so decides, then he will step up to the challenge.

More exciting days ahead in Calasiao. Abangan!

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments