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 78th 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 2nd 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.
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