The 2010 Ilonggo Presidentiables

This article was first posted almost two years ago, when these incumbent senators where still toying with the idea of throwing their hats in the presidential derby of 2010.
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THE 2010 ILONGGO PRESIDENTIABLES
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia -INM Banwa_Mo *October 15, 2007)

When Ilonggo-at-heart incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term in Malacanang is over, the following ilonggos are believed to have greater chances of taking over the reins of the government. (Alphabetical order):

* Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Morena Lacson
"Ping" was born of modest and humble but upright parentage in Imus, Cavite. His paternal ancestor belongs to the Lacson clan of “Parian” now Molo in Iloilo City.

In the middle part of the 1800’s, some members of the more adventurous prominent “Pari-anons”; such as the Yulos' & Yusays'; the Lacsons' & Locsins'; the Aranetas', Salases and de la Ramas' migrated to Negros Island and engaged in large scale sugar plantation. Years later, some family members went farther north with the expansion of the sugar industry and establishment of modern sugar mills in Luzon. These are the forebears of the Yulo’s and Lacsons who settled in the Calabarzon Area and Central Luzon, and the Araneta’s and Locsin’s in the Bicol Region.

Senator Ping Lacson graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1971 and Master in Government Management at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 1996.

With his outstanding service record in the Philippine National Police, he was eventually promoted as Chief of PNP. As the top Police Officer, he was able to effectively instill strict discipline in the national police force and raised the morale of it’s officers by instituting the “No Take” policy and succeeded in eradicating the corrupt culture attributed to policemen. Thru his efforts, police efficiency greatly improved. Thus, PNP achieved 58% public approval rating --the highest ever in PNP’s history and 78% approval rating for himself. For financial assistance especially to the rank and file in the Police force, he founded the PNP Foundation, Inc.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was elected Senator in May 2001 and has continually proven himself up to the present, as a no-nonsense legislator and as the fearless voice of the people in the upper chamber of Congress.

His Personal Dictum: “What is right must be kept right. What is wrong must be set right.”

* Sen. Loren Bautista Legarda
"Loren's" maternal grandparents belong to the illustrious Gella clan of Antique. She is the only daughter of Antonio Cabrera Legarda of San Pablo, Laguna and Manila and the late Bessie Gella Bautista of Antique and Malabon. She is the granddaughter of one of the late pillars of Philippine journalism, Jose P. Bautista, editor-in-chief of the pre-Martial Law Manila Times. Loren decided to follow her paternal grandpa’s footsteps in the field of Journalism.

She was cum laude at the University of the Philippines where she obtained a degree in broadcast communication. Loren Legarda soon became an icon in T.V. broadcast media that catapulted her in the political arena.

Loren’s estranged husband, former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste, grabbed headlines in mainstream media recently for his confessed involvement in shooting to death a company employee.

As a legislator, Loren has proven herself as staunch advocacte for Law and Order, Rights of Women, Youth and Children, Education, Environment and Employment; and Nationalism.

Senator Loren Legarda is the only woman in Philippine political history who has topped the Senate race twice, in the 1998 and in the 2007 senatorial elections.

* Sen. Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II
"Mar" who hails from the Province of Capiz is an Economist. He is the grandson and namesake of past Philippine President Manuel Acuna Roxas of Capiz and Trinidad de Leon of Bulacan.

He is the son of late Senator Gerry Roxas and Judy Araneta y Araneta de Roxas of the old rich ilonggo family. His maternal grandfather the late Don J. Amado ”Amading” Araneta of Negros Occidental, was the founder of the Cubao, Q. C. multi business empire that includes the world reknowned dome “ARANETA” coliseum. He is a bachelor, who is alleged to be romantically link to one of the most popular ABS-CBN broadcaster Karina Sanchez,

Senator Mar Roxas a.k..a. “Mr. Palengke” proved his expertise in economy as former Secretary of Trade and Industry and political savvy during his term as Congressman of the first district of Capiz. He ran for senator in the 2004 election and was number one --with the highest votes ever garnered by a national candidate in the history of Philippine electoral process.

* Sen. Miriam Palma Defensor-Santiago
"Inday Miriam" was born in Iloilo City to Judge Benjamin Defensor and Dimpna Palma . She graduated class valedictorian in both elementary and high school levels. She also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines. She finished it in only three and a half instead of four years. She made history as the first female editor-in-chief of "The Philippine Collegian" in its fifty years of existence as UP's student newspaper.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, the multi-awarded scholar and public servant and is considered a "Maverick" in the senate is now on her second term as Senator of the Philippines.

(excerpted from Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago's Biography):
"Miriam Defensor Santiago became globally famous with her courageous and brilliant crusade against corruption in the Philippines. As a result, at 43, she was named Laureate of the Asian Nobel Prize, known as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. She was cited "for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency."

Miriam was widely featured in the international press because of her charisma, flamboyant personality, and her signature witticisms, making her good copy. In 1997, the Australian magazine named her one of "The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World."

In later years, Miriam was keynote speaker of the international anticorruption conference in Sydney, Australia. As senator, she sponsored and secured ratification by the Philippine Senate of the UN Convention Against Corruption. Miriam ran for President of the Philippines in 1992, and led in the canvass of nationwide votes for the first five days. But she was ultimately defeated by a margin of less than a million votes out of 36 million votes.

The campaign was reportedly marred by widespread election fraud, notably power blackouts after the first five days. The public outrage over the presidential results prompted Newsweek to feature her and her rival on the cover with the question: "Was the Election Fair?" In another cover story, Philippine Free Press magazine asked: "Who's the Real President?"

Inday Miriam Defensor-Santiago, "Pride of the Ilonggos".

* Sen. Manuel “Manny” Bamba Villar, Jr.
This incumbent Senate President, was born in Tondo, Manila to Curita Bamba of Pampanga and Bataan. His father Manuel Montalban Villar, Sr. of Cabatuan, Iloilo grew up in Tanza, Iloilo City. At an early age, Manny helped in his parents seafoods dealership business in Divisoria. As a working student, he finished at the University of the Philippines where he earned a degree in Business Administration.

He was employed in several prestigious Firms for quite sometime, until he decided to engage in gravel and sand business that eventually lead him to establish one of the largest development firms in the Southeast Asian region, the Camella & Palmera Homes. His C & P Homes started as low-cost housing projects that later became high scale under the brand name Crown Asia.

Senator Manny Villar earned citations as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of 1986, the Agora Award for Marketing Management in 1989 and Most Outstanding CPA by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1990. In 2004, he was named the Most Distinguished UP Alumnus—the highest recognition given by the UP Alumni Association --for his exemplary public service and achievements.

He was already a successful businessman, when he ventured into politics and was elected in a landslide victory as Congressman of Las Pinas in 1992. Later he was chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In May 14, 2001 he won in the national election as Senator of the Philippines. On his first day in office, he was selected as Senate President Pro Tempore, the position he held until 2003, that paved the way for his unanimous election as Senate President on July 24, 2006.

He is recognized as the richest legislator in Philippine history where he was consistently the richest congressman from 1992 to 2001 and richest senator from 2001 until today.

Senate President Manny Villar, is married to Congresswoman Cynthia Aguirre-Villar, of the wealthy and influential Aguirre clan in Las Pinas. She is the richest legislator in the lower house of Congress, representing the lone District of Las Pinas.
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ANNOUNCEMENT

2010 CPU Global Grand Reunion
JULY 1, 2, 3 2010
EMBASSY SUITES SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
250 GATEWAY BLVD.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISO, CA 94080

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:

Fellow Alumni and Friends,

Come and join in the fun, fellowship and camaraderie with “old” and new friends.

Come to relive treasured school day memories and make new ones. Come to show your support for the school that provided excellent education and training. Come because you believe in what Reunions are all about—bridging the separation brought about by time and distance, so that we can once again celebrate as one body, our Central Spirit.

I thank God that we are able to make the 6th Global Reunion a reality in San Francisco, CA USA on July 1, 2, & 3 2010. Your presence is vital to the success of this endeavor. Please send your registration early to avail of special pricing in both registration and lodging. Invite your friends and family to join you—the more, the merrier.

Our theme: Enrichment in Times of Change. Even as we remember our past, let us look with anticipation and joy to the years to come; more importantly, let us appreciate the blessings we enjoy today, and make special moments with those whose lives are entwined with ours, through our common heritage and God’s love.

I look forward to seeing you next July. May God bless our plans.

Perla Guillergan Londres
CPUFOAA President

REGISTER TODAY!
COME AND JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP, FUN AND EXCITEMENT!!!
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TYPHOON ONDOY FUNDRAISING

CPUFOAA Family,

I had written Dr. Ted Robles and Mr. Rey Cordova, CPU President and President of the CPUAA--MM chapter respectively, to inquire as to the process to use to provide aid to our country men and women in the wake of Ondoy and the possibility of more severe weather in the near future. Following is the relevant excerpt of the message I received tonight from Dr. Robles:

We at CPU are encouraging our constituents to donate for flood relief. Cash donations will be consolidated by our Outreach Office then channeled through Faith Baptist Church in Quezon City. I am going to discuss with the VP's how the University can help.

This event gives me an opportunity to roll out a significant break through for our FOAA efforts to facilitate the charitable gifts of our US-based alumni. Effective immediately, all donations channeled through the CPUFOAA for charitable purposes are tax deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code, as we have been determined as EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(c) (3) of the Code.

Therefore, please advise your members, other alumni, family and friends to send their donations to our attention, CPUFOAA, 440 S. Maple Avenue, Unit 2-S, Oak Park, IL 60302, and make the check out to Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Associations, Inc. (CPUFOAA). In the Notes section of the check, please note the recipient/purpose, and in this instance, Flood Relief will suffice. The CPUFOAA will remit all donations in its entirety to Central Philippine University to be distributed to the appropriate agency in the Philippines for the use of the flood victims. All donations will be duly noted and confirmations will be sent to the donors by ourselves, as well as, acknowledgments from CPU and/or its associated agency/ies. We will make arrangements with CPU to release equivalent funds in the quickest possible way so aid could be timely.

I appreciate any and all efforts to support the urgent and massive need back home. To the extent that you and your circle of influence are able, please be generous with your donations. Most importantly, continue to take the people in need to the Lord in prayer, as He alone can offer true deliverance.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow--He is faithful and is with us through plenty and in want. Who knows, in these hard times, good fruit for His purpose may come about.

Best to you and yours, Perla
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Nong Dinggol, Palihog man ni announce sa aton Ilonggo Nation News...Thanks guid...

Mauro Somodio
Founding President-Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc.
PO Box 206
COOPERS PLAINS QLD 4108
AUSTRALIA
www.fafq.org.au (Tel. (07) 32169808/Mob. 0404 663 978)