SILENTLY and discreetly but decidedly, Engineer Rolando "Rox" Dungca Pena of Trust International Paper Corporation (Tipco) situated at (mainly) Barangay Bundagul, Mabalacat, is making his mark on environmental projects and concerns, with emphasis on, and drive for, the propagation of Balacat trees and honest-to-goodness implementation of the 3Rs of sound waste management: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Often viewed as aloof and non-sociable, Engineer Rox is, on the contrary, a much-involved and committed Mabalaqueno, a stickler for discipline and company rules and an excellent practitioner of time management.

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At his office in Tipco, now under Peza, everyone is on the edge of his seat when Rox reports for work in the morning, usually at 8, always gingerly alert for the boss' calls and needs who just seems not to get tired despite the volume of work, frequency of meetings and speaking engagements. Sought for by convention organizers on environment topics and concerns, Engineer Rox entertains requests for his attendance provided these do not interfere with his pre-set schedules and bookings. Atta boy, Rox!

Not all is very serious work for Rox as he also finds time to socialize and lead some worthy causes such as Padyak para sa Balacat which aims, I suppose and surmise, to focus attention on the balacat tree and the town it represents.

As a columnist in this paper, Rox comes out with instructive pieces that, bound together, can be useful for students, environment enthusiasts and practitioners and researchers. They are factual, very enlightening and relevant to the times.

He ran for an SB post in 2007 and nearly made it to the top eight but lost by a slim margin to Councilor Eddie Sotto. In retrospect, he said he would have safely landed in the middle rankings had he the resources, time and backing of an influential religious group.

Was there junking in the hustings, in the last minutes of the campaign?

Not one to be easily frustrated by a single political loss, Rox wants to try it again come May 2010.

In his radio program with Titser ng Bayan, Cecille Yumul, Engineer Rox puts to good use his wide knowledge of waste disposal and handling and environment management and protection. I wonder now why he has not been tapped as Mabalacat's environment czar for all his vast technical knowledge and experience. Well...

In sum, Rox D. Pena is one good timber for the political structure in Mabalacat. He is committed, devoted and sincere in all his undertakings and is an A plus asset not only for the Municipal Council, but also for the whole town. Oks and oks pa rin si Rox.

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In fairness to the incumbents Dr. Oscar Aurelio, Froylan Galang and Jerry M. Basilio, I will devote space for their accomplishments, vision and mission in my next columns. Also, something for Dindo Dayrit and other aspirants. Abangan.