Ang Pahayagan

NINOY AND ME

Today the country silently observe the 41st assassination former Senator, Tarlac Governor Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., “Noksi” to the Tarlakquenos media people during his time. Fortunately, although quite a young journalist during the pre-martial law period, as a Tarlakqueno I belong to the pack allowed close encounter with the hometown idol of media as the Ilocanos to Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

August 21, is a red letter day, as the dream to look upon that our “kabalen” will after Marcos Sr. succeed and become the President of the country. But on that day of his return, his life was ended and frustration reign over us.

When Cory, his widow was enthroned , I was part of the Tarlac media group organized the Tarlakquenos in Media Inc. (TAMA) held the post as secretary and coordinated the activities of the group composed mostly of old-timers , like Luis Mauricio, Francisco de Leon, Vicente Tanedo, Manuel Salak, Jun Icban, Celso Cabrera, Greg Brillantes, Ariel Bocobo, and Willie Baun.

But before that the pet road project of Ninoy is about soon to be completed, the Capas-Botolan Road, which sought the cooperation of then Zambales Gov. Manoling Barretto to pursue his dream project to open up the Tarlac-Zambales connection. That was during the 60’s and I remembered it right since I was already stringing for the Evening News for Zambales and Olongapo. Ninoy invited Manoling to meet at the Pinatubo rest house of his elder brother Tony to discuss the road project. Also present during meet up was the late Engr. Abel Canlas, then provincial district engineer of Tarlac. Both Ninoy and Manoling are protégées of the late President Ramon Magsaysay Sr.

I am glad that soon Zambaleneous will be able to travel from the Northern part of the province to Tarlac and Pampanga, skipping Olongapo City and easing the traffic in the area. I was still in teen age when I became a stringer in Zambales and Ninoy invited me to cover Tarlac also.

WISH KO LAND

I was ahead of my time, and now considered by a colleagues as the “Dean of local media “ another description as the oldest living person,, that I am running out of time, on the last trip to heaven or hell. I express my regrets that I will not witness the completion of monumental projects start during my prime such as the Capas-Botolan Road, the Cavite-Bataan bridge that conceived by Tong Payumo and the Redondo Bridge.

Moreover, I hope I am still standing when the development of the Kalaklan Ridge breaks ground by the selected urban and township developer SM Prime Holdings, the group that leased the government property and converted to SM Central Mall. I was informed by Rolen C. Paulino Sr.,. the City has invited SM Prime too help develop the 300 hectares mountain top public land into a modern area since the group is recognize as catalyst of economic growth and expert on integrated property development with sustainable results.

As envisioned a new City Hall will rise in the area with four lane roads and adequate parking areas, combined with high Rise residential, office, hotel and sustainable community.

The younger people of Olongapo will be the beneficiaries of the works and plans by the incumbent officials. I hope that I am still alive by 2030, when development signs are in sight.

Abagan.