Prayer to St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Prayer to St. Jane Frances de Chantal
(Feast Day : August 12)

O, Magnificent St. Jane Frances de Chantal, you had shown limitless energy and courage in your lifetime as a mother, head of a household, and a community caregiver.
You had shown loyalty and love for your husband, Christopher, despite his constant absence because of his active court duty.
Later in your years of mourning because of his death, you were able to shake off all loneliness by devoting your time to spread God’s work, therefore, you founded the Order of the Visitation Sisters in Geneva, Switzerland with the direction of another saint, St. Francis de Sales, bishop of Geneva.
Through your kind intercession, please assist me in my present turmoil and difficulty. Like you, let me be able to surmount all problems especially that which beset my soul, and also all my temporal difficulties, so that upon surmounting these problems, I could better serve the Lord with more strength and fortitude.
O, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, pray for me.
May God grant my petitions thru the merits of your long, tedious and ardous apostolate work, care for the sick poor, and of your special fondness and love for young mothers.
Pray for me, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, that I may always be generous and kind to others regardless of my state in life.
Pray for me to have strength and courage in doing my best in every task and job assigned to me.
May God, who is the source of your love and dedication for the well-being of all, grant my petitions.

Lord God, I give my full trust in you without reservation. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

*****

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

by C. Lalaine Aspiras, Current Affairs, The Ilocandia Express

I have said this already, and I will say it again, that we Catholics are quite lucky to have saints by our side to assist us in our prayers.
I have found a gentle and sweet friend in the person of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, born Jeanne Francoise Fremyot, on January 23, 1572 to a lawyer father. Her mother died when she was only two years old.
At age five, Jane was already very firm in her belief that "Jesus Christ is present in the Blessed Sacrament," while she debated with a visitor.
At the age of 20, she married Baron Christopher de Chantal and they lived at the Bourbilly Castle near Dijon.
But then, Baron de Chantal had to fight with the King of France, leaving Madame Jane de Chantal, to look after their estate.
Here, Jane, managed well their domestic affairs while providing soup kitchen to the poor and needy especially during famine.
By 1601, the couple had four children. When the Baron retired from active duty because of his failing health, Jane nursed him back. But one day during a hunting trip with his cousin, the baron was accidentally killed.
Jane mourned for seven years. Then her father-in-law had invited her to Monthelon. From there, she went with her brother to Dijon to listen to the Bishop of Geneva, Francis de Sales, one day.
Later, she would become a nun, and with the direction and guidance of the bishop, Jane founded the Order of the Visitation Sisters in Geneva.
Jane saw the Order flourish until she died on December 13, 1641 at the age of 69.
I have composed the above prayer in her honor.

 PS. By coincidence or is it serendipity?, this saint caught my attention. Later, I found out that her feast day was moved to August 12. In remembrance to my Father, Cres D. Aspiras's birthday, which falls on this said date, I am spreading the devotion to St. Jane Frances de Chantal.) Thanks, friends!

Desiderata (Ilocano version)

Agoo, La Union

National Heroes Day

August 26, 2012

Each time I read the Desiderata, I get a fresh start. It is a guide masterpiece for anyone, young or old. It brings out the hero in you! 

Desiderata

Agpatuloy ka ti baet iti ariwawa ken ganat ket panunutem nga adda talna iti kinaulimek. Ingganat makayam makitunos ka iti padam a tao. Ilanad mo ti pakaistoryaam nga nalinay ken nalawag, ken dumngeg ka iti sabali, uray dagitay nanumo ken nakuneng, adda met maistoryada. Adaywam dagiti nariribuk ken nadangras nga tattao ta isuda iti mangsinga iti kinataom.

No ikumparam iti bagim iti sabali baka agbalin ka nga natangsit wenno sakiten daytoy ti nakem mo, ta adda latta tattao nga nangatngato wenno nababbaba ngem sika. Nanamem dagiti gapuanam kasta met dagiti planom. Ipateg mo iti pagsapulam, uray man pay bassit, ta isu iti pudno a baknang iti agtultulid nga gasat iti paniempo.

Agannad ka kadagiti tamingem, ta addu iti mangallilaw ditoy lubong. Ngem saan mo nga baliwalaen ti kinaimbag ta adu pay ti tao nga nasayaat ti gagarna, ken adu met latta ti natatakneng. Agpudno ka ta bagim. Saan ka nga agpampamarang. Saan mo nga laiten iti ayat ta uray man pay addu ti nakaskas-ang nga makitam, ti pudno nga ayat ket ayat kasla met laeng iti ruot nga agrusing ket agtubo. Arakupem dagiti adal ti panawen, ket ibbatam dagiti rasi iti kinabanwag.

Agsingsingpet ka, ta isu ti galad mo no dumteng ti rigat, ngem saan ka nga agbiag iti nalidem nga arapaap. Di ka agbannog ken agliday tapno saan ka a mapabutngan. Agparbeng ka, ikutam ta bagim. Parsua ka iti lubong, mas importante ka ngem dagiti kaykayo ken bituen, adda karbengam nga ageddeng ditoy. No man pay di mo maawatan, ti lubong ket agtulid a kas rumbeng. Isu nga agtalek ka ken Apo Dios, uray man pay dimo matarusan iti aramidna ken ania man ti pakasiknam ken arapaap mo ti tengnga ti kinaburibor ti biag, agsingsingpet ka latta. Ta numan pay iti bayat iti raira iti panagbiag, kinaawan latta ken awan ti pannakaragpat dagiti darepdep napintas latta ti lubong. Agliwliwa ka.

Agregget ka nga agragsak

(A kas impaulog iti Ilocano ti The Ilocandia Express)

Desiderata 

by Max Ehrmann, 1927

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Ilocano at its best

Agoo, La Union
August 23, 2013

Ilocano at its Best

Ilocano is one of the Filipino languages largely spoken around our archipelago. With the outflow of OFWs abroad, Ilocano is also seeping into other foreign lands and to other cultures.

An Ilocano word, “gaga” which means “crazy, silly” is in the English dictionary but its etymology says it comes from French’s “senile, foolish” or “meaningless bubblings”. Can we therefore say we had long ago connections with the French?

“The medium is the message,” according to Marshall Mcluhan, a media analyst. He explains what you say or your medium is the message itself.

“Adda maysa nga saritak.” (I have one word.) This is one sentence we often hear from our elders. Instead of saying, “Ikarik” (I promise.),” They say, “I have one word.” An Ilocano is so firm, he defines his actions with one word – "maysa nga sarita".

Yet “sarita” means so many words like a poem, an essay, a composition. All these are called “sarita”.

“Plastic” people are called “aginkukuna” (roughly, “telling something not the truth”" So really, what an Ilocano says is very important to him.

Perhaps Ilocanos are among the most respectful people in the world. They respect their “manongs” and “manangs” (elder brothers and sisters). They respect, too, those younger than them with “ading” (younger brothers and sisters). In other languages, like Tagalog, there is no “ading” and so with English. It’s just that “manong” and “manang” are now used to address the man in the street elsewhere especially in Manila.

Ilocanos though, like Koreans, address the friends of their parents “uncle” and “auntie”.

While the English and the Americans have their general use of relations like in-laws, referring to a father, sister, etc., the Ilocanos are very specific – abalayan (parents of a couple), katugangan (parent of a married spouse), aberat (sibling of a spouse).

A groom “nobyo” and a bride “nobya” are the ones being wedded. But the Ilocanos also call the engaged, and the boyfriends/girlfriends “nobyo” and “nobya”. A man usually introduces his girlfriend as, “gayyem ko”, a girl of her boyfriend as “gayyem ko”, also.

This means, an Ilocano does not discriminate a gender – male or female, in terms of friendship. He also doesn’t have an “m u” (with mutual understanding relationship). “Asinno dayta? Agar-arem kenka?” This is often asked by elders to mean, “Is he your boyfriend, your admirer?” Ilocanos have long courtships, so the action word, “agar-arem” “courting”

 But do you notice that Ilocanos have great distinctions for their parents? They refer to their parents as “nanang” or “tatang” or other terms for mother and father. But they seldom use the words, “naggannak kaniak" (literally, those who gave birth to me) "dadakkel ko” (my elders). Therefore, for an Ilocano his mother and father have different and certain roles. Their children have certain expectations from them. Moreover, parents call their children, “ubbing ko”. Like in English, they are called that way even if they are already passed middle age.

On the otherhand, Ilocanos have difficulty in the measurement of things. “Adu pay iti bagas?” (Do we have more than enough rice?) The answer is usually, “Addu pay ngem bassiten.” (Much but small quantity.) Or, “Bassiten, ngem addu pay met.” (Small quantity but we still have.)

This vagueness is also present concerning directions. When one is asked for directions, he is answered with, “Addayu pay” (It’s far yet.)” or “Asidegen” (It’s near already.” When asked, “Where is a thing?”, an Ilocano says, “Adda laeng dita.” (It is just there.) Perhaps it is not vagueness but complacency that everything is just there. We get this attitude with our climate, only summer and rainy season – the sun shines in the morning and sets in the evening. It is there always.

But Ilocanos are frivolous with their flattery, especially concerning women. They have different terms for beautiful – napintas, nalibnos, napusaksak.

Love is the greatest force in the world, for God is love. But Ilocanos seldom say, “Ay-ayaten ka” (I love you) to a loved one, even to his mother. Yes, they say that in English or Tagalog – I love you, Mahal kita. They would rather praise someone to say they love them. “Nagsingpet ka, nagsayaat ka!” (You are good, kind.)

But Ilocanos, have so many endearments like “raem”. “Agraemak ken amak ken inak.” (I respect and love my father and my mother.) Raem means both love and respect. In speeches, they also use the word, “ingungutek” meaning “the one I love” like “ingungutek a kakailian” (my  beloved townmates). They refer to their guests, as “patpatgenmi nga bisita” (literally, the guest we honor.) Ilocano sentences usually have the source – I, we; and object – you, it, etc. So, they are generally in command of a situation. Like they say, “Agannad ka.” (You take care, and not take care only.). They prefer the phrase “Ay-ayatemi nga pagilian.” (The country we love.) rather than “Ti maay-ayat nga pagilian.” (beloved country.)

The way we express our gratitude perhaps is one of the most beautiful versions of “Thank you” in the world. We say, “Agyamanak” (Thank you.) But we also say “Dios iti agngina” (God will repay you.) from the heart!

Indeed, Ilocanos are a grateful people and they have inherent trust in the Lord.

Agyamanak, Apo! Dios iti agngina kadakayo amin nga nangbasa itoy saritak.

August 21, 2013

Rainy Wednesday

            It is raining for more than a week already. Here in the tropics, the absence of the sun causes depression. So, I am sharing a “classic” write-up from my column, Current Affairs. Friend, in this blog, I will be sharing with you some of my past writings.  We are homebound right now because of the rains. It is wet everywhere. Unlike elsewhere, though, there is no flooding around the house.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Whatever makes one happy is allowed by his conscience. Happiness is awareness of one’s being. It is the acceptance of one’s limitation and knowing how to complement them.

Happiness is the pleasure one receives when he gives. So, always be gracious and be generous.

Always try to live with and be satisfied with what you have. Don’t envy what others have and don’t compare your possession with others. Instead of whining, try to improve, complement what you got. Enjoy what you have.

On the other hand, if you are lacking a certain good, try to focus or divert your attention to another goal so that you will not feel frustrated.

Always allow a room for improvement, nothing is perfect after all.

Have a goal but it should not obsess you. You must be able to handle it at will. You can pursue it, replace it, or forget it. Focus on the things you can do something about.

A happy person is a grateful person. An unhappy person always dwells about his state of unhappiness, of the useless past. You must be grateful that you are alive and can improve your state of life. Moreover, be loyal to those who are helping you or to those who are giving you livelihood. Without them, you will not live fairly besides they would be the first to help you in times of difficulty or hardship.

Have a work, career, job or goal that makes you happy. You can never be happy if you do not like what you are doing

You can control your mood. You can choose to be happy. Be positive. Learn not to complain and not to get angry.

On the other hand, you can never be happy all the time. Your day could be happy or manageable only if you choose to ignore little hassles or small hitches.

Do not be afraid to depend on others or ask help from them. After all, you can return the favours you have received from them in the future.

Most often, selfish people are the most unhappy people. They stack on themselves material possessions fearing that someday they will be alone, not knowing that they are very hard to reach, that they are widening their gaps with their loved ones.

Money can be saved and earned in time. As they say, the loss of money could always be recovered.

There is a need to love right now. One should never put off to love, to care, to be kind and to be understanding.

Always allow yourself to trust others and bind that trust with good communication.

 -   Current Affairs 

by C. Lalaine Aspiras

The Ilocandia Express

February 26, 2007

JDA

Agoo, La Union

August 21, 2013

      While I am at it, another column/article landed on my lap, so to speak. Here's just another article that would recap my posts about the late Ambasador Jose D. Aspiras

CURRENT AFFAIRS

by C. Lalaine Aspiras

The Ilocandia Express

September 11, 2002

JDA

          

          History is being kind to the memory of the late Ambassador Jose D. Aspiras.

On the day of Ambassador Aspiras’s supposedly 78^th birthday, the marker of the Jose D. Aspiras highway, formerly Marcos Highway, was unveiled with guests including Bishop Antonio Tobias who blessed it; Madame Amparo Aspiras; Baguio Mayor Bernardo Vergara; Former Mayor Luis Aspiras; Barangay Capt. Lorenzo Cases. Of course, the three mayors of whose domains are being traversed by the said highway were there – Agoo Mayor Franny Eriguel; Tubao Mayor Violeta Verceles and Pugo Mayor Orlando Balloguing.

Very immediately after Ambasador Aspiras’s demise, the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Marcos State University honoured the congressman of the 2^nd District in naming its gym and multi-purpose hall after him. Next, the Agoo government headed by Mayor Franny Eriguel; and the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Ramil J. Lopez passed a resolution naming the Agoo Civic Center as Jose D. Aspiras Civic Center.

So here in Agoo, rightly called “Aspiras country”, the name of Sunshine Joe lives on.

Ambassador Aspiras then when he was still Secretary of Tourism and later as minister, with then Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director, now Baguio City Mayor Bernardo Vergara were instrumental in constructing the highway from Agoo to Baguio. Looking at the terrain, it was then almost inconceivable that a shorter highway would connect the highlands to the lowlands. It is only with leaders who possess the vision that such historic projects are to be born.

And I take pride that somehow I am part ot the Aspiras clan which by now has to carry over the good deeds of the late congressman.

Of which reminds me of the recent Operation Smile sponsored by the LULA foundation and the Aspiras family last June at the ITRMC. Mrs. Babot Aspiras-Oreta was the over-all coordinator. Clients were childen with cleft-lips or broken palates who were operated on by volunteers of Operation Smile headed by its president, Edith Villanueva. Mrs. Babot happily introduced me around as a relative to the doctors and patients and I took it kindly from her. I want to congratulate again Mrs. Oreta for she had done much without funfare. She was instrumental in making a significant and permanent change on the part of the children as they instantly got better personalities and confidence after their operations. It was then the birthday of Bishop Tobias. He was so happy for the children and for the sponsors, too, for the good deed.

With such good heart of the relatives of the former Ambassador, his name will truly live on.

The Ilocandia Express

August 14, 1996

Photos below were taken during the blessing of The IE office. 

Father Teodorico Rivera blessed the building. Cong. Jose D. Aspiras graced the occasion.

Tribute to Jose D. Aspiras

August 19, 2013
Agoo, La Union

JOSE D. ASPIRAS

August 18, 1924 – November 14, 1999

                  Statesman, Legislator, Administrator, Journalist

                  Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great

                  Former President of the National Press Club

                  Former Minister of Tourism

                  Former Congressman, 2^nd District, La Union

                  Current Resident Representative of the Manila 
                  Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan

           During Sunshine Joe’s wake at the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, I interviewed people around:

TRIBUTE TO JOSE D. ASPIRAS

(The Ilocandia Express, November 17, 1999)

          As a congressman, he served par excellence and had been a veteran legislator. As a friend, I was the closest to him. He was a true friend and very helpful. – Congressman Bernardo Vergara, Baguio City

***

          He had a great passion to serve the people even to the end. He has shone brightly as a public servant, both in our country and abroad.

          His life, work and service have made La Union a better place to live in. His legacy as a great leader will be long remembered by our people for he was a favourite son of La Union. – Gov. Justo. O. Orros, Jr., La Union

***

          Not only the 2^nd District of La Union but the whole country had lost a leader who had contributed unforgettable accomplishments in terms of tourism projects entire the country, both visible and intangible accomplishments which could not be counted of in numbers brought to the 1^st and 2^nd District of La Union while he was still Congressman, including the churches.

          Not only people of Agoo will miss “Sunshine Joe” but the whole country as well. – La Union Senior Board Member Rolando Rivera and a former Sangguniang Bayan Member of Agoo.

***

          He was a great man and a favourite son of La Union. We feel so depressed and shock by his demise. He built man land mark infrastructures. – Mayor Franny Eriguel, Agoo, La Union

***

           Dakkel ti pukaw iti ipapanaw ni Apo Jose D. Aspiras, saan laeng para iti nasyon, ti probinsya, iti ili, no di para ti pamilya a De Guzman. Nabayag ti panaggagem ti pamilya De Guzman ken ti Aspiras. Ladingeten ti pamilya De Guzman ti ipupusay ni Apo Aspiras nga isu iti sumagmamano pay a tawen.

          Adu ti naited ni Apo Aspiras iti nagbalinan ken idudur-as iti ili ti Bauang.

          Dakkel a dayaw ni Apo Aspiras, nga anak ti La Union a nagbalin a sekretaryo iti Tourismo a mabigbigbig saan laeng nga ditoy pagilian tayo no diket iti intero a lubong. Maysa isuna a natakneng a tao nga nangitandudo ti probinsya a La Union.

         Dawatek kadagiti pamilyana nga no adda nagkurkurangan ti pamilya De Guzman ket maawatanda koma.

          Dawatek kadagiti umili nga ilualo tayo iti panakabendisyon ti kararuana. – Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin De Guzman, Bauang, La Union

***

           He was a good man, he had his moments, his legacy will be unsurpassed. My regret is that I could have known him better. Instead, I practically grew up and became a lawyer denying I was him or his son or compulsory heir. – Lawyer Jose Ventura Aspiras

          He made our province most beautiful and he was the congressman who has ever served our district. – Casimiro Mabutas, former Municipal Treasurer.

***

          As expected the outpour of grief is so insurmountable. He is well-loved by so many people from all walks of life, the rich and the poor, and all government officials well. This shows that he served well in all capacities. I hope we can produce another like him. It is a great loss to us considering that he is one of the advisers of the President, He is so different compared to modern day public politicians in reference to his sincerity, dedication and he has done a lot for the province and for the country as well! There is no substitute for “Sunshine Joe”. – Atty. Rey Dulay, Director, John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC)

***

          He is a legend and Godfather of La Union. He loved all kinds of people even those who tried to destroy him. – Florie Flores of San Jose California

***

           He’s well-loved and he will be missed terribly. – Iking Rivera and Iling Sison, Agoo, La Union

Happy 89th Birthday "Sunshine Joe"

August 19, 2013
Agoo, La Union

JOSE D. ASPIRAS

 August 18, 1924 – November 14, 1999

Happy 89th Birthday , “Sunshine Joe”!

          I was looking for a material to write on my new blog. As they say, when the muse comes, welcome it. Yesterday, August 18 was an opportune time as it was the 89^th birthday anniversary of “Sunshine Joe”. I was surfing the net to get his biography but I could not find much from the top sites of Google search machine. ... And to think that the late Jose D. Aspiras was a statesman.

          

           I joined the mass for him held at the mausoleum of the Lady of Charity Basilica with his family led by his wife former La Union Vice Gov. Amparo M. Aspiras; their children present, Aida Aspiras, also a former La Union Vice Governor; former Agoo Mayor Jose Luis Aspiras and Mrs. Babot Aspiras-Oreta. Later, the family served lunch at their house, where I met mutual friends and met new ones.

          

          The mass was officiated by Father Salvador Agualada, Jr.  a Claretian priest, and by Father Chito Apusen and Father Ronald Chan. Father Salvador is the author of “Strings of a Heart in Prayer”, “Homecoming”, “Pedro Calungsod, Patron for the Filipino youth”.

          

          Father Salvador in his sermon said that although we are born into this world, this is not our home. But we must prepare ourselves to the true homecoming and that is when we die and go home to our Father in heaven.  He also said he was amazed that the sun rises in one portion of the earth and sets in another, describing God’s magnificence. I thought then, Tito Joe, was aptly called “Sunshine Joe” for his magnificence. Among us siblings, I was closest to him.

          

          What I haven’t found in the net, I found in the pages of The Ilocandia Express, which I published and edited.

          Now, I must rely heavily on the article – Ex-Congressman Aspiras dies (banner story, November 17, 1999) and re-write it, remove details about the schedule of the event but add some details to suit the present year.

         *****

          Former Congressman Jose D. Aspiras of the Second District of La Union held the position of a Resident Representative and Managing Director of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan when he died of heart attact at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. He suffered from a lingering illness before his death.

          While in Taiwan, Aspiras’ MECO position was equivalent to a rank of an ambassador. He died at the age of 75.

           

          Aspiras, fondly called, “Sunshine Joe” is survived by his wife, former La Union Vice Governor Amparo Mendoza Aspiras and his children: Aida, Babot and Babes, Jose Luis, Cristy, Vicky, and Reggie; grandchildren, Toby, Padjo and Leia, Charlotte and Bacchus, Monique, Maureen and Louie, and Quinto and great grandchildren John, Kayla and Emilio. Vicky followed her father a few years later.

          Aspiras was a journalist who wrote for the Evening News and later became a war correspondent in Korea. He was at the time with Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., who was also a correspondent of The Manila Times. In one incident, Ninoy  had to dive first in the fox hole, followed by Aspiras with the latter’s body covering and securing the young Ninoy.

         

          Aspiras also became a President of the National Press Club (NPC) when journalists went all out for him, following the defiance to reveal the source of his news story during a legislative investigation. He was at the same time the embodiment of a champion of press freedom. Ferdinand E. Marcos, then a congressman became his defense counsel who tried to save Aspiras from his predicament but was nevertheless jailed. Aspiras’ heroic act paved the way to the passage of the Freedom of Information Act of 1957.

          

          In 1965, President Marcos appointed Aspiras as Information Secretary. Then he ran for congressman for the 2^nd District of La Union in the 1969 polls and defeated then incumbent Congressman Manuel T. Cases, who had dominated La Union for 20 years.

         Aspiras served in the Seventh Congress until 1972 when Martial Law was proclaimed. Marcos then appointed him as Minister of Tourism until 1986.

          

          Under Aspiras’s initiative, the Balikbayan Program, the Reunion for Peace, the Miss Universe contest and other toruism projects were implemented which attracted local and foreign tourists. In 1980, the Philippines reached its goal of a million foreign tourist arrivals, making the tourism industry the country’s third largest foreign exchange earner.

During Martial Law, Aspiras was also at one time acting General Manager of the Government Insurance System and member of the Board of Directors of several government and private corporations.

          

          In Agoo, La Union, the parish church of the 16^th century vintage got renovated, all through his leadership and vision.

          

          After the church’s improvement, it was elevated to the rank of Minore Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1981.

For his services to the church, Aspiras was conferred the Grand knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory, the highest lay decoration from the Holy See.

          

          Aspiras had also envisioned La Union to become an educational center of the north. He then worked out for the establishment and improvement of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University now with campuses in Bacnotan, San Fernando City, Agoo, Sto. Tomas and Rosario.

          

          Aspiras again ran as Congressman and won handily from 1987 to 1998. Barred to run for re-election for Congress after his third term, Aspiras became a candidate for governor of La Union but he lost. With the onset of the Estrada administration, was tapped to run MECO in Taipeh, Taiwan.

          

          Popularly known as “Sunshine Joe”, he will be remembered as a public servant with utmost charisma, very pleasing personality of a devoted public servant, sincere and noble God’s crusader and a true lover of country and people, an Agooenian of the highest tradition.

          

          Less than a year after his death, the Agoo-Tubao Section of the Agoo-Baguio Road (Marcos highway) was renamed as the Jose D. Aspiras Highway in his honor through Republic Act 8971 of October 31,2000. The Agoo Civic Center which he built also was renamed Jose D. Aspiras Civic Center and the DMMMSU Gymnasium as Aspiras Gymnasium in his honor. Moreover, a building at the La Union Medical Center, Agoo, La Union, was also named after him.