Yeng as prophet – can he predict his future?

GAWAD MABINI AWARDEE. The vision and strong foresight of DFA’s Elmer G. Cato, recent Presidential awardee, has been confirmed by recent events. It was the former journalist-turned career man in Foreign Service who caused the timely transfer of the DFA’s Consular Office from the flood-prone Paskuhan Village to Clark. With the same forward looking perspective, Cato had initiated the establishment of consular offices to select Metro Manila Malls and similar organizations in several regional centers including Marquee Mall in Angeles City. The disastrous flooding of San Fernando where the regional consular office was relocated from Clark caused no inconvenience and delay to those seeking passport and travel services. “Business as usual” for residents went unhampered at Marquee Mall, thanks to Cato whose wisdom and pragmatism had been proven right by the changing seasons.

NANAY AS SOCIAL WORKER. Financial resources of the Pineda family are being stretched to capacity as Gov. Pineda brings help and solace to the thousands of displaced flood victims. TV viewers saw the anguished look of the Gov as she visited and comforted the victims. The Capitol resources are only so much that she was said to be using her own funds to sustain her charity work with the same generosity of spirit and genuine compassion for the unfortunate as in normal times. The magnitude of flood-related problems, including the need to rehabilitate damaged public infrastructure, will challenge the patience, time, and industry of Mrs. Pineda from now on till the next polls.

DELUGE ENDS RH DEBATE. The strong incessant rains of the past week flooded Central Luzon and Metro Manila. Bad weather and the deluge overtopped work in Congress so that the debate on the RH Bill has been put to a halt. More calamities like the recent one, weather by typhoon or earthquake, will not resolve the points of contention between pro and anti. The latest argument for the RH measure, columnist de Quiros pointed out are the “devastated, the ravaged, the nasalanta, who are mainly the poor, the destitute, the down-and-out, the children with the haunted and haunting eyes. You want more to add their ranks?” he asked the CBCP.

YENG GUIAO, PROPHET. A rare achievement of a cabalen which was overshadowed by the great deluge was the crowning of Vice Gov. Yeng Guiao, coach of Rain or Shine team, as champion of the Governor’s Cup Conference. Yeng has won championship games for Swift, Red Bull and other teams in the past. But the most unforgettable and sweetest of these is the recent one over B-Meg who had the bigger and more experienced men in its line-up. When the Finals started, Yeng had staked his claim to the championship. “We will win it,” he declared unequivocally and without fear. It is not in his character to brag in advance of what he can do or not do. Yet he made a prediction, and he was right. To the B-Meg, champion of the past conference, the goal was only to survive and retain their prestige. To Yeng, it was winning a championship by all means, at all costs. Normally a quiet unassuming guy, Yeng displayed guts, temper, and fighting spirit in title fight. I admire him too as a rising prophet for guessing it correctly. Will the future congressman now predict if he is going to win against former city mayor and ex-congressman Blueboy Nepo?

VM RACE STIFF. The Angeles vice mayoral race will be tightly contested. Each aspirant has her/his own strength. VM Vicky has strong gender and education advocacy credentials; Tony Mamac rules in barangay affairs management; Jay Sangil, worker’s rights and transportation. While Alfie Bonifacio’s health program is impressive, Mark Sison has expertise in running the city hall as “little mayor”. His connection with VP Binay will bring rich harvest to the city – and the promise for more after 2016. He promised to build a Legislative Building. We will hold on to your word, Mr. Sison.

ADDED STATURE. Angeles City has been awarded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for having the Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council nationwide. The singular honor added a proverbial feather in the cap for Mayor Edpam who is shoring up his defenses while in an offensive stance preparatory to a hand-to-hand combat in next year’s political fight of the decade, it was learned from organizational genius and city hall chief of staff Alex Cauguiran.