THE BATTLE ROYALE between the Lazatins and the Nepomucenos of Angeles City will be played out anew as the younger sons – Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr and Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno – wrestle the mayorship this upcoming polls.
The revered Lazatin patriarch, Rafael “Apung Feleng” Lazatin became Pampanga governor in 1951 amid war reconstruction and ongoing insurrection that kept aflame the revolutionary zeal of the Kapampangans. Apung Feleng brought about changes in the province until one lawmaker from Pampanga;s First District – Francisco G. Nepomuceno – riding high on Diosdado Macapagal’s drumbeating trounced him in 1959. That started the long-drawn out political rivalry between the two political families.
As a high school student at the Holy Angel College (HAC), I used to see Apung Feleng walking in front of HAC on his way to the old Lazatin residence near the school. Always, whenever I pass through that imposing house, Apung Feleng comes to my mind as the vintage residence was a mute witness to the molding of political history in Pampanga province and Angeles City.
Fresh from his education in Europe, Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, delved into politics like the proverbial duck to water. Tarzan has won the political juggernaut that Apung Feleng had failed to achieve winning the Angeles City mayoral race against Francisco’s son – Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno. “Ditak a Salita, Dacal a Gawa” – Tarzan became mayor, congressman and barangay captain of the Balibago business district at one time or the other until his demise last year.
Tarzan is known as “Father of the Resettlement Centers” in Pampanga’s First District. Many victims of the Mt. Pinatubo are now sheltered in these resettlement centers in Mawaque, and Madapdap, both in Mabalacat City; and San Isidro and Sta. Lucia, both in Magalang town. A day before he died, I catch a glimpse of Tarzan in his red shirt at the Jungle Base but I was not able to talk to him. Little did I know, that a day later, we will no longer be able to see him.
The affable son “Pogi” Lazatin also rises. In a twist of fate, Pogi is now Councilor vying for the mayorship. Pogi will clash head on with Bryan and Alexander Cauguiran, the erstwhile political strategist and confidante of Angeles Mayor Ed Pamintuan.
“Pogi” Lazatin has already presented his 6-point agenda for Angeles City — 1. To ensure that Angeles City will be drug-cleared; 2. Access to better public health; 3. A working solid waste management system; 4. Education for all; 5. Youth and sports development; and 6. Infrastructure support.
The Lazatins who ruled Pampanga province and Angeles City have made significant strides in the development of the economy and the lives of their constituents. Apung Feleng and Tarzan, both great leaders, remarkably ruled in peace and did not cow in fear against bad elements during their time. Pogi seeks to continue the Lazatin legacy of public service with bravado.