Great Ilocanos /Honolulu Mayor Hanemann

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G. Bonilla

LAOAG CITY – Whenever foreign and local visitors visit the Syquia Mansion in Vigan City, the memorabilia of Ilocandia's first contribution to Malacanang, the late President Elpidio Quirino, is main focus.

This column gives tribute to Quirino whose birthday falls on Nov. 16,1890. His birthplace was the second floor of the provincial jail of Vigan of which his father, Mariano Quirino, was the provincial warden.

His mother Gregoria Rivera hailed from Agoo, La Union. Pidiong, as he was called by his peers, was a good painter, an orator, debater and a noted student like Jose P. Laurel. Laurel was a famed politician, lawmaker, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court and President of the Philippines during the Japanese era.

With the approval of the Jones Law of 1916,destiny willed that Quirino be chosen as the secretary of then Senate President Manuel L. Quezon. His political career started in 1919 when he was elected representative of his Congressional district against a well-established opponent.

Quezon's political career inspired Quirino to throw his hat in the political ring. He married the charming Alicia Syquia,a scion of the wealthy family of Vigan, Ilocos Sur on January 16, 1921. Unfortunately,at the height of the liberation campaign in Manila, Dona Syquia together with her three children fell victims to Japanese massacre on February 1945 leaving only Rep. Elpidio Quirino ,his son Tomas and daughter Victoria as survivors.

Tomas was then the father of the beauteous Cory Quirino. The Collectivista Party chose Quirino as its standard bearer for senator in 1922 but he lost to the more popular and intellectual giant Isabelo de los Reyes.

Fate favored this young politician who won overwhelmingly as senator in 1925 at the age of 35 and was re-elected in 1931.He lost to an equally promising lawyer-politician in the person of Benito Soliven when he launched his candidacy in his district in the 1938 election because President Manuel L. Quezon supported Soliven.

Quirino was appointed by Quezon as Secretary of Finance during the governor-generalship of Frank Murphy. Before the outbreak of World War II, he was elected a senator in 1941.

As running mate of Senate President Manuel A. Roxas, official candidate of the newly formed Liberal Party, the LP won. Quirino was elected Vice-President and inducted into office on May 28,1946.

He became president after the death of Roxas on April 15,1948.He served as President from 1948 to 1953.The country will always remember the late President Elpidio Quirino as the Father of Industrialization who spearheaded economic programs that helped alleviate poverty of the masses especially those living in rural areas.

May the generation of Ilocano leaders find inspiration in the person of President Quirino who had proven that Ilocanos could become great leaders of the nation.
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The press conference of Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Marcos Keon highlighted several issues including upgrading of the Laoag City General Hospital. The way I look at it, the ideas of the chief executive is very much supportive of the program of the city government and Dept. of Health.

The better system that might give harmonious relationship between the city and the provincial governments is honest, open and transparent dialogue or communication in pursuing objectives of the city and the province. The governor expounded very well the different aspects concerning health as primordial concern of the city.

After the press con, here came the Miss Earth beauties with their amazing and dazzling personalities during the motorcade that bedazzled the crowd with their looks and global concern.
They discovered the fine culture and traditions of the Ilocanos. With their stature as representatives of environmental concerns, they could have a big impact on the tourism industry of the province.

It was known that Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos,Jr. with lawyer Adel Tamano delivered inspirational talks for the candidates at Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel and Casino. The last day of their visit will be a cultural presentation and a bit of socialization at San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte for them to know the dedication of San Nicolenos in the field of arts.

I would like to mention the names of Vice-Gov. Windell Chua, honorables Vicentito Lazo, Elena Nalupta, Shirley Ong Sin, Portia Respicio Salenda, Cris Ablan, Albert Chua, Angelo Marcos Barba, Jessie Galano, and provincial legal officer Jaime Agtang for being there at the Session Hall and highlighting ideas presented by the chief executive.
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The mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii Mufi Hanemann will visit the province of Ilocos Norte to strengthen ties between the Ilocanos and those of his city knowing very well that Ilocanos who once worked as the Sakadas almost dominated the County of Honolulu. They contributed a lot for the development and progress of Hawaii.

I first met Hanemann during the highlight of Bacarra's town fiesta where he was invited as guest of honor and speaker during that momentous event. I interviewed the good mayor and truly he could relate clearly to anyone his wisdom and nobility of spirit. His inspiring message made Ilocanos proud of their roots.