LUBAO, Pampanga—Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab of this town on Wednesday urged the youth to emulate the legacies of the late former president Diosdado “Apung Dadong” Macapagal to help the country move forward.
Pineda-Cayabyab made the appeal during the 106th birth anniversary of Macapagal dubbed as the “Poor Boy from Lubao”, who overcame poverty to be elected Philippine vice president in 1957 and president in 1961.
The mayor accompanied Macapagal descendants in the wreath-laying activity held at the old home of the former president in this town where now stand a public library and museum that immortalize the life of Apung Dadong from his humble beginnings to his last official act as Philippine leader.
Pineda-Cayabyab underscored Macapagal’s perseverance to finish his studies amidst poverty.
“Habangbuhay ang pasasalamat ng bayan ng Lubao kay Apung Dadong dahil sa kaniyang ipinakitang pagmamahal hindi lamang sa Lubao kundi sa buong bansa (Lubao will forever be thankful to Apung Dadong for his love not only for the town but for the entire country),” Pineda-Cayabyab said.
She furthered that the local government unit wants the life of the former president to be a model of local residents here a reason why they established an award-giving body named after Macapagal.
The Diosdado Macapagal or Apung Dadong Awards has been conferring recognitions to outstanding residents of Lubao since 2015.
Pineda-Cayabyab added that making the youth follow the lives of heroes like Macapagal is finding significance in present times as more and more youth get involved in illegal activities primarily because of poverty.
“The youth are this nation’s future, but where is our country going to if we cannot properly guide our children to become good citizens,” Pineda-Cayabyab added.
Former Pampanga vice governor Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, daughter of Apung Dadong, said the former president had always what his benefactor, the late Don Honorio Ventura of Bacolor town, in his stint as Philippine president.
“Dad (Macapagal) had always followed the path of clean governance. He never amassed wealth from illegal means while he was President. He taught us this principle: Do what is right. Do it with all your best and let God do the rest,” said the former vice governor.
Provincial Board Members Salvador Dimson, Jr. and Anthony Torres, former Congressman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Councilor John Susi and officials from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Department of Education attended the event held amidst a rainy day.
The program was highlighted by the first-ever public singing of the “Oh Poor Boy from Lubao”, a piece written by lyricist Edgar Yuzon with musical arrangement by Roy Torres. The song is all about the life of Macapagal. –Albert Lacanlale