ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has led the unveiling of the restored portraits of the 19 past mayors that are now displayed at the City Hall Lobby.
“What the city is now, we owe it to these great public servants,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin said this is also in time for the 192nd founding anniversary of the city, to give respect and remember these former leaders who greatly contributed to the stability and development of Angeles City.
“It is vital that we preserve their memories so that the future generation may appreciate their accomplishments,” he added.
Lazatin also cited the efforts of Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, who supervised the project with Angeles City Tourism Office led by Anneleen Antonio-Sugui, City Engr. Donato Dizon, and General Services Officer Evangeline Malonzo.
Lazatin said the success of the project will not be possible if not for the local artists who have helped in the restoration of the paintings, bringing back their former glory.
Former Pampanga First District representative and Angeles City Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno expressed his appreciation to the Lazatin administration for the “wonderful effort” to put up the portraits of the past city mayors.
“I am glad that this endeavor will surely be appreciated by our constituents, moreso, the general public to know more about our history, who our leaders are, and what they have contributed to our progressive city,” Nepomuceno said.
According to Nepomuceno, it is indeed an honor and privilege to be part of this program especially today that he had not visited the city hall for so long.
Meanwhile, former mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, who is now the Clark Development Corporation chairman, said he is delighted being invited to this unveiling, making Christmas happier with the portraits hung up at the City Hall lobby.
“Masaya ku at meimbita kaming Blueboy, masaya kung mi-ikit-ikit tamu. Dakal a salamat Mayor Pogi king gagawan mu para king Angeles,” Pamintuan said.
(I am happy that I and Blueboy were invited. I am happy that we saw each other. Thank you very much Mayor Pogi for what you are doing for Angeles.)
“Lalu yang mesanting ing Pasku tamu kasi makadisplay la reng lupa tamu keni,” he added.
(Our Christmas is merrier because our faces our displayed here.)
Pamintuan also said that he only wants what is best for the city and hopefully, Lazatin will continue what his father and grandfather had done for the city.
Also present are the families members of former Mayor Dr. Clemente Dayrit and Ponciano Dayrit -- Maria Consolata Dayrit Punsalan; Rudesindo Dayrit; Honorina Dayrit Villanueva; Margarita Dayrit Timbol; Jose Dayrit Vital, Jr; family members of former Mayor Agapito Del Rosario and Rafael S. Del Rosario -- Norma Del Rosario Nucup; Rafael Valentino Del Rosario; Rafaelle Clarissa Del Rosario; family members of former Mayor Jose M. Pangilinan -- Anita Pangilinan Gutierrez; Marnie Gutierrez; family members of former mayor Eugenio Suarez -- Renato Abong Tayag -- Araw-ACI president; and Angeles City Government department heads.