Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Naga mayor dies of cancer
Naga, Cebu Mayor Ferdinand Chiong died of cancer yesterday afternoon in a private hospital in Cebu City.
His death shocked government officials and friends alike, who knew the mayor to be healthy and athletic. He was 53, and on his third term.
Arthur Villamor, his secretary, said that even he could still not believe that Chiong, who played tennis almost everyday and won in some tournaments, is gone.
“Mura man nig ug dili tinuod. Kalagsik ato niya, dili gani hapit taptan ug sakit (He was very healthy),” Villamor told Sun.Star Cebu in a telephone interview.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia burst into tears when she learned of what happened. “I am still reeling from the incomprehensible loss of an exemplary public servant and a dear personal friend.”
“I grieve with the family, the entire town of Naga and his many, many friends. His untimely and all too sudden death leaves an emptiness in our hearts that will stay for a long time,” she added, and then sobbed.
Chiong was close to Garcia even before she ran for governor. He delivered the highest margin of votes for Garcia among all local government units in Cebu in the elections, but Garcia said Chiong never demanded or asked for anything in return.
“Ako nalang gani ang mangutana ug unsay akong ikatabang sa iyang lungsod. Dili siya mangayo kay maikog kuno siya, ipauna lang ang uban (I even had to ask him what I can do to help his municipality. He would refuse because he’d rather that I prioritize the others),” narrated the governor.
Both Garcia and Villamor said they learned that Chiong was sick only two weeks ago, when he started going to the hospital for a series of medical check ups. Chiong went on leave two weeks ago, and left Naga to the care of his brother, Vice Mayor Valdemar Chiong.
The Cebu Provincial Board, for its part, yesterday passed a resolution expressing “heartfelt sympathy” to Chiong’s family.
Members Juan Bolo and Raul Bacaltos, both from the first district, which Naga belongs, sponsored the resolution.
“His good deeds will remain forever etched in the memory of those who love him and whose lives he has touched,” read the resolution. (JPM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 4, 2006 issue)
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