LUBAO, Pampanga – Local officials and relatives of the late President Diosdado “Cong Dadong” Macapagal over the week commemorated its 109th birthday held at the Macapagal Museum in San Nicolas 1st here.
Mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” Pineda along with National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and 2nd district Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, grandson of Cong Dadong led the wreath-laying rites and placing of flowers at the monument of the late president.
Pineda said the life and legacy of Cong Dadong is an example of good leadership that ahould be emulated by public officials and youth today.
“The poor boy of Lubao had become the champion of the poor the defender of the rights of the oppressed dahil po jan kami po sa bayan ng Lubao sampu nang aming pamilya ay hindi mapapagod sa pag-alaala sa ating dating Pangulo Diosdado Macapagal,” the mayor said.
Macapagal, dubbed as the “Poor Boy from Lubao”, overcame poverty and was elected as the country’s vice president in 1957 and president in 1961.
Congressman Arroyo, the guest of honor during the event, narrated how Cong Dadong’s thought them many things in life and during his time the late president always enact laws for the prosperity to the greatest number of people.
“Our Lolo thought us many things in life so in congress all my legislation is geared towards that to bring prosperity to people not because it is really needed but i draw inspiration from my grandfather,” Arroyo said
The solon also thanked the NHCP, former Pampanga vice governor Cielo Macapagal Salgado, local government unit and the Pineda family for the honor accorded to his grandfather annually.
Cong Dadong left a good legacy as a Lubaoeño who served as the fifth president of the Philippines.
The NHCP is regularly honoring the legacy of the country’s former presidents.
Macapagal’s achievement also includes the realization of MaPhilindo or Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, a regional association that would approach issues of common concern, NHCP said earlier.
Also present during the event were Governor Dennis Pineda, former ALE Partylist Rep. Catalina Bagasina, Don Macapagal Salgado, Board member Salvador Dimson Jr, Department of Education representatives and other local officials.