MODERN CLICHE Valentine’s Day poem can be found in the collection of English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton’s Garland (1784):
“The rose is red, the violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou’d be you.”
Once again, the City of Angeles where I was raised and born illumines seductively in bright red symbolizing the celebration of the love month of February amid the pandemic. It is an occasion in which couples expressed their love and affection for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greetings. Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.
The city government, under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo Pogi Lazatin Jr., chief tactician and adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Asst. IV Reina Manuel, archered heart-shaped lights along Abacan Bridge and Friendship Highway to share light and love to all Angelenos. But these symbols like the stars or lanterns or “parols” which were put in place during the Christmas season have deeper meaning. It symbolizes the guiding star of Bethlehem for the three Magis to find the baby Jesus in the manger. While the heart symbol, which has often been used on Valentine’s Day cards, candy boxes, and similar popular culture artifacts, is a symbol of romantic love.
But for Mayor Pogi Lazatin it is a legacy of good governance and leadership. It is more of a burden than a boon, because with a recognizable name comes a legacy and the pressure to defend it. The younger Lazatin persistently carry on the torch of the heart symbol with clingy slogans “Tatak Lazatin, Pusong Lazatin” and “Ditak a Salita, Dakal a Gawa” which were started by his grandfather, Rafael Lacsamana Lazatin, who served as municipal councilor, municipal and city mayor, provincial board member, provincial governor, and assemblyman of the Batasang Pambansa. Then by his father Cong Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin who followed Tatang Feleng’s political footsteps who served as a five-term congressman of the First District of Pampanga (1987-1991) (1992-1998) (2007-2013) and three-term mayor of Angeles City (1998-2007) and Barangay Chairman of Balibago. Most of their priority programs and projects are anchored to health and education.
Mayor Pogi is committed to preserving his family’s legacy and has unceasingly developed his own political identity. As city councilor from 2013-2019, he opposed the passage of Tax Ordinance No. 6, Series of 2013 or the ordinance increasing the Real Property Tax in Angeles City. He also championed pro-environment legislation by being the author of Ordinance No. 364, Series of 2015 or the ordinance regulating the use of and distribution of plastic bags and prohibiting the use of styrofoam. He also pushed for an ordinance that seeks to amend the Charter of the City College by providing free tuition free to all City College Students. In less than two years as a mayor, given the burdening health crisis situation, he has been lauded by the Department of Education. The award was conferred to Lazatin during the recent virtual recognition of Government and Community Stakeholders recognizing the topmost involvement and participation of various stakeholders in ensuring that education must continue amidst the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has allotted P209 million to purchase 61,200 computer tablets for 55,000 Grades 4 to 12 students and 3,000 school teachers in 53 public schools, and 3,200 scholars in the City College of Angeles (CCA). He has also allotted P25 million and is seeking P50 million more as augmentation fund from the Department of Health (DOH) for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines for frontline medical workers and those who belong to marginalized sectors. In other words, Mayor Pogi is one of the most visible local chief executives in the country amidst the pandemic.
For some families, like the Lazatins, the Nepomucenos and the Pinedas, politics runs in the blood. But as history shows, coming from a powerful political family doesn’t mean a free ride to the top. Sometimes it does help, and sometimes it hurts. It’s a two-edged sword. I conclude that a brand name, a famous family name, is typically worth one step up on the political ladder. They get one step up, and they are on their own.
Did you know according to findings, Singaporeans are among the biggest spenders on Valentine’s Day? With 60% of Singaporeans indicating that they would spend between $100 and $500 during the season leading up to the holiday.
Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.