MEGA-INVESTORS now see and are convinced of Pampanga’s Future. It was not only because of Province’s strategic location as the main corridor to Northern Luzon, but it’s the resilient character of the Kapampangan that magnetizes the big investors.
Three giant malls located to the City of San Fernando, certain of the business potentials of prospering community. Our best asset, Clark Airport is run by Alexander Cauguiran who sees an endless vision of development at CIAC. Alex always blooms where he is planted.
Inexplicably people seem attracted to Pampanga, with Clark Field as the primary destination where a supermall was built after the two in San Fernando.
The investors and capitalist who staked considerable resources of Pampanga provide the evidence to Kapampangan resiliency, a generic concept of a virtuous people shown by its courageous spirit, forbearance, industry, and ambition.
Businessman Levy P. Laus who heads the core of business, civic and professional elite in San Fernando, sees the next generation of Pampangos unifying the forces of history working during and after the eruption.
Laus stands out among these leaders when he united rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts by establishing a makeshift communications station in San Fernando, and made the center of volunteer and government organizations.
Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan occupies center page in the history of the Pinatubo eruption. His city was the most devastated Kapampangan area in physical and economic terms. Angelenoss started to abandon the place and evacuated to Metro Manila and safer places.
Untold destruction and tragic grief fell on his people, Like the epic hero of old, EdPam summoned the depths of their spiritual resources and character. He sparked the courage to transform defeat to victory and directed the course of perdition to salvation.
In an old column, I wrote that while Angeles City agonizes in virtual death throes, the residents saw in Pamintuan (not yet a Mayor), “a rainbow in the day, and a faint star at night to chart a new destiny for themselves.”
What has this Kapampangan spirit brought to bear among ordinary cabalen?
Pampangos had realized that need to unite and make a strong voice in the face of catastrophe. Without this incessant, relentless, and brave rallying force, the FVR-mega dike so-called would not have been built.
We woke up to our own people power and compelled our elective leaders and government authorities to focus on their tasks. This resulted to flood abatement and maintenance of infrastructures for livelihood and commerce.
We fought for and encouraged the appointment of Kapampangan top officials to Clark Development Corporation to ensure the province is not left out in all economic opportunities at Clark Economic Zone.
After the Pinatubo disaster when people displayed their worst and their best, residents acknowledged their right to demand good governance from their leaders.
With so much inept public officials, with rampart dysfunction in local governance, and the limited capabilities of local government units, people realized they should get involved in development efforts.
Traditional politics will be here to stay, but now the populace will start demanding effective governance, a lesson from their hardships and ordeal during their afflictions.
Politicized by their exposure to dire neglect in their time of need victimized by favoritism in relief distribution and alleviation effort, and marginalized by their lack of a single voice, Pampangos have become aware of what the modern leaders should be. The cabalen can now see through the maze of a failed system.