What’s on Apung Tarzan’s Plate?

DON’T be deceived now but this piece would not have anything to do about the figuratives. Unless, of course, someone (mis)interprets it.

It’s about the literal plate of Cong. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.
Me and my media colleagues happen to chance on him in one of the big malls this past week.

Lounging around. Relaxed. Seated on a chair by one of the food kiosks near a cinema, Apung Tarzan may look pale and thinner (than the old figure I have known of him). But is he indeed sick?

Wearing his fiery red shirt underneath a water-repellant black jacket with matching black pants and hat ala Bruno Mars, the good old man in Angeles politics simply looked cool. The trademark gray beard made him looked to be in his usual self. Confident, soft spoken, unmindful if not undisturbed.

But more than his get-up, I could not help but notice what was served in front of him – a paperbag of chicharon and bottled water.

Yummy sodium snack looked just so enticing that me and Ashley Manabat gave in. Before we know it, we were finding ourselves dipping some cuts on white vinegar. Mentor Bong Lacson was determined not to be tempted, citing the alta-presyon to be a cause not to indulge.

So, we exchanged not only the juiciest of the bites but also the flavor of the season – politics. A lot of it is better left unprinted out of respect for the man (and his opponents too) notwithstanding the sensitivities, the sensibilities.

Lunch time struck, before we know it.

Not that we took advantage of the kindness of now wanna-be-mayor-again of Angeles City, but the chit-chats just went on to the unholy hour. Chief of staff and ever-smile-on-the face IC Calaguas echoed the offer of Apung Tarzan to grab something heavier to fill the tummy aside from the pork snack.

We trooped to a smorgasboard resto downstairs. Apung Tarzan noticeably kept pace with our cadence with no one trying to give him a hand as we walked. He even went farther as he chose to take a leak first before eating. He joined us at a long table in less than five minutes.
Eat all you can, as they say it.

At first, I had to pick veggies and fish to satisfy my hunger and thus fill me up before I lay my eyes and hands on rich but unhealthy foods that were pulling me.

But what I, the forty-something me, was eating compared to 78- year old comebacking mayor?

I am almost half of his age but my calorie in-take was not even half his.
What was on his plate? Humor me now but the man has good appetite – kare-kare, tocino, and another viand that looked like another meat to me. There were some veggies too plus rice of course.

Not only that, Apung Tarzan also had a plateful of pork litson which he passed around to us with matching pitch of satisfaction “mangan ko kanini, manyaman ya.”

And so I indulged, with commands to myself: go exercise later and burn the calories.

And so I ate rich foods too, with thoughts: “I’ve just been cleared (in very recent executive check up), why deprive myself?”

And so I had those foods too, raising observation: “If I’m healthy to partake of that, Apung Tarzan must be too.”
He is like a growing boy.

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AUF DOES IT AGAIN. The Angeles University Foundation has slowly but surely built an outstanding reputation.

Not that only it is celebrating its 50th foundation this year but AUF has produced topnotchers in various courses and fields. Year in and year out, AUF grads make it to top 10 board passers.

The very latest is in the Medical Technologists (MT) licensure given by the Professional Regulation Commission where Maria Jenina Parker bagged the fifth place overall.

Not only that. AUF also posts very high passing averages compared to the national rates in various disciplines.

For MTs for example, AUF registered a passing rate of 94.12% for first takers and an overall passing of 83.33 percent versus the national passing rate of 81.55 percent.

The other successful examinees are: Bernardo, Arlhou Dimalanta; Castillo, Myka Karizza Galang;Cunanan, Janine Combong; De Leon, Katlin Mallari; Del Amen, Charissa Capistrano; Dizon, Jalyn Pranz; Enriquez, Arthur Keno Tolentino; Gomez, Rowell Sierra; Guevarra, Sonny Castro; Guina, Macey Puri; Guzman, Marco Polo Torres; Lagman, Lizette Piedra; Lampa, Allen Paul Songco; Lapid, Joanna Marie Dela Cruz; Lim, Johanna Selina Dizon; Lingad, Jennie Quizon; Lugue, Thomas Joseph Manaloto; Lumanug, Angelo Amor Ramos; Madlangbayan, Carlo Remigio Lacson; Manalang, Jaymar Manalo; Naluz, Shamara Vega; Patawaran, Harlan Jr. Lacsa; Salvador, Maricris Mariano; Sanchez, Maria Cristina Fernandez; Sarmiento, Norilie-Mae Manalang; Savellano, Lara Mikee Jimenez; Serrano, Nowiena Joyce Guintu; Tayag, Roseller Jr. Guinto; Tiamzon, Angela Soliman; Tiglao, Carmina Joy Cortez; Tuazon, Jennifer Ann Aguas; Villafuerte, Karla Lizette Macaspac; Wooden, Jemmalou Balanay; and Zamora, Renz Aaron Navalta.