RAIN OF FIRE

Cesar G. Bonilla
A huge event for Dingras

LAOAG CITY -- September was declared a month of peace. So many people have sacrificed so much for peace, even giving up their lives for this. But peace seems more difficult to achieve nowadays. There is no peace when there is conflict; when there is injustice; when faith is absent; where there is no love.

Anywhere in the world, in our country, in our province, city, our families, ourselves, it is difficult to find peace and serenity. Our country is on the brink of a social volcano particularly in Mindanao because of war between the forces of Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government troops bringing much misery and oppression to innocent civilians whose quest for a peaceful life have been subverted by the barbaric messengers of satan. Peace starts with oneself.

Just as we can’t love others if we don’t love ourselves; we cannot have peaceful co-existence with others if we don’t have peace within ourselves. For how can you give what you do not have? Let us convert these ideas into action. Let us free ourselves from distrust, envy, anger or hatred because they imprison us with ourselves. If everyone tries to have peace in themselves then peace would not be such an elusive dream.
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A mayor gifted with beauty and charisma of the rice granary of Ilocos Norte, the town of Dingras is Marynette Romero-Gamboa -- a modern breed of politician whose guiding philosophy is to spearhead the cornerstone of social, political and economic progress in the municipality.

The biggest development project of Dingras is the modification and construction of a market that will serve as a conduit of commercial activities including agricultural products from different barangays of Dingras including its neighboring town. The renovation of the municipal hall and the rehabilitation of different barangays are foremost in the think tank vision of prosperity of Ms Gamboa whose leadership style has gained momentum in her modern version of social justice and people empowerment.

The first woman who ascended the highest position in the town’s political hierarchy and this historic triumph reincarnated the patriotic and nationalistic fervor of another great daughter of Dingras whose name is an epitome of good tidings, the late Josefa Llanes Escoda, the Florence Nightingale of the Philippines, whose tragic death during the liberation of Manila on February, 1945 brought fame and inspiration to Ilocanos especially her native town, Dingras.

Dingras will celebrate her 110th anniversary as a tribute to Escoda’s greatness. She unselfishly cured Filipino and American soldiers at the height of Japanese atrocities in the Philippines. She died at the age of 47. *** Municipal tourism officer Elsie Romero revealed that Ilocos Norte Vice-Gov. Windell D. Chua would be guest speaker during the occasion. Hopefully, the entire province will experience the holiday break. Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Marcos Keon is expected to deliver a message in this significant occasion. Mayor Gamboa said that there would be an Escoda rainbow parade and floral offerings at the Escoda monument and market.

The following leaders of Girl Scout movement of the Philippines are the main participants like lawyer Ameurfina A. Respicio, regional chairman GSP-NLR; lawyer Consuelo F. Corpuz, council president 1. Norte-laoag GS Council; Teresita B. Choa, national president, GSP; Dr. Cecilia Pacis Aribuabo, CESO IV, schools division superintendent of Ilocos Norte; Marjorie T. Baquiran, GSP board member and president, OSCA, Dingras and many more.
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Meanwhile, Mayor Gamboa is being bombarded by criticism from her political enemies with regards to the construction of the Dingras market. The sangguniang panlalawigan shared the same sentiment to this burning issue against to the plan of the lady mayor to rehabilitate the old market which opened a floodgate of opinions on the legal and meritorious merits of the project. Be that as it may, the mayor is decisive and full of vision to continue the blueprint of development of Dingras. Her brilliance shines amidst misleading propaganda. She is very willing to promote Dingras as a haven for visiting tourists, both local and foreign, but she can do this hard task if there is unity and reconciliation among the people of Dingras.
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The introduction of AIE College, Inc. in Laoag is an additional learning experience in the field of globalization considering its impact in the internet world. They offer computer training courses to students using simplified international standards, and tested quality training equipments to correspond with the needs of the time. Admission officer Ricardo M. Peralta, Jr. and school administrator Rizza T. Cue are gems in the academe. They are courteous to this humble writer.

This newspaper would like to greet HBC store manager Rosemarie Salem, HBC team worker Gemalyn Aguilar and all my friends in the Provincial Tour guiding Association: Mario L. Leano, office of the Vintar mayor, head of Saviour’s Christian Academy Barnette P. Tayawen, Esler Tayawen, Toni Carag of Playa Tropical, Joanne Q. Servito, office of the mayor in Sarrat, Lovilyn R. Marcos of NCC, Lourdes P. Domingo of Dingras’ tourism office, Brod Marlo Jay Tejada, all staff of the provincial tourism office (Zandra and Glenda Cindel) and staff of the provincial Department of Tourism under the leadership of Ma. Milagros R. Gonzales.