ANGELES CITY – The team behind the book “Cong,” which will serve as a tribute to the late Carmelo “Tarzan” F. Lazatin, held its first meeting today, December 4, 2020, at the Bale Balita inside Clark.
Initiated by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. and Clark International Airport Corporation’s (CIAC) Vice President for Operations IC Calaguas, the book will focus on the public service career of Tarzan Lazatin, former Pampanga First District Representative and the first ever three-termer Angeles City Mayor.
The book’s administrative board, Calaguas and Lincoln Baluyut, met with the editorial staff composed of veteran journalist Caesar “Bong” Lacson, Pampanga Press Club President and long-time Philippine Daily Inquirer writer and contributor Tonette Orejas; Noel Tulabut, Arnel San Pedro; Marna Dagumboy-Del Rosario, Minerva Zamora; Joey Pavia; Arlyn Lukban; and Shairmaine Gonzalez.
Also in attendance were the editorial board’s researchers Irish Bonus-Llego, Mina Cabiles, Jam Aguila, Leah Isidro De Fiesta, Joseph Rassel Santiago, Sheiden Dela Cruz, and graphic artist Jaypee Manalang.
Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, who acclaims the elder Lazatin for paving her way to public service – Cong. Tarzan Lazatin gave her the nickname “Chairman of the Board” – will also be a part of the book’s administrative board.
During the initial meeting, the team discussed how the book’s three sections will be fleshed out. The first section will be dedicated to the late Governor, Mayor and Assemblyman Rafael “Apung Peleng” Lazatin; the second part will be about Cong. Tarzan; while the last section will include the public service story of the incumbent Lazatin brothers — Mayor Lazatin, and First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II.
Lacson, who will serve as the book’s chief editor, also laid down the assignments and deadlines, so that the book may be released February of next year.
“We want this book to serve as Apung Tarzan’s legacy, so that his life may be remembered by generations to come,” Calaguas said.
Calaguas is considered as one of the most trusted executives of Tarzan Lazatin. She served as Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff of the elder Lazatin for 19 years.
The elder Lazatin served as the First District Representative of the province from 1987 to 1998. He became the first three-termer Angeles City Mayor from 1998 to 2007. Afterwards, he served again as 1st District Congressman in 2007 to 2013. He did not stop serving his constituents as he became the village chief of Barangay Balibago in 2018.
“I want to share my father’s story – his unwavering dedication and passion for public service – to everyone. We still miss him every day. I hope this book will show how he is remembered, not just by us, but by his family, but also by Angeleños and residents from Mabalacat City and Magalang town,” Mayor Pogi Lazatin said.