(This story I wrote came out in The PHilippine STAR Nov. 12, 2006.)

DAGUPAN CITY—Take it from a true-blue Dagupeño who won his third term as mayor of Milpitas, California about his secret formula in his political battles: Excellence in performance all year round and being in the community consistently—these are the best ammunitions in a campaign.

Mayor Jose Esteves who hailed in barangays Bonuan and Pogo Grande this city garnered 8,217 votes or 56.8 percent under Republican Party over his lone opponent, Henry Manayan, a Democrat, who got 43.2 percent. Manayan, a former
mayor also in Milpitas is an Asian (Filipino-Chinese) American.

In an interview made by The STAR via e-mail, Esteves said he feels “very rewarded and grateful especially after having significant accomplishments for the City of Milpitas - and after having tremendous support and care from many citizens”.

Asked what made the Nov. 7 election different from his previous political fights, Esteves said,” I work my best every election regardless of the opponent or circumstances. I think that the Filipino media in this place has publicized this election more than the previous elections giving the impression that this is the election to watch”.

Esteves' sister supported Manayan. "My sister Perla has been having conflicts with our parents for many years now. All of us (5 brothers and one sister) believe in our parents except for Perla," he said.

"Perla has not been supportive of her whole family including myself. I think this is her problem, not mine. And this is not a relevant issue," he added.

But he said he was more comfortable in this election as he had more significant accomplishments and more supporters and contributions.

He said his obvious accomplishments, the overwhelming support he received and the honesty and integrity that people saw in him made people voted for him again.

In the mayoralty election in 2004, he got 9,771 and in 2002, he also won a landslide victory. He was also number one when he ran for the City Council the first time in 1998.

For him, the last election was not at all an easy fight as he said,” I had challenges when misinformation and lies were used by the opponent tremendously”.

But he said “this was balanced with thepresence of many supporters and a long list of strong endorsements for me.

“We have to keep the record straight always,” he said.

He said he always aims to do his best in his current position “so , I aim to continue to be one of the best Mayors with extraordinary accomplishments, results and leadership”.

He said he misses the Philippines, his country of origin and particularly this city, his native city. “Yes, I do (miss the Philippines and Dagupan City). I have always been proud of my origin, of the Philippines and of Dagupan City. I miss my fellow Filipinos there, their greatcharacter… I miss the natural resources, fruits and the air and everything,” he said.

Asked what lessons he had learned in American politics, Esteves said,”Politics could be similar in all places –lots of
opportunists, unethical practices and personal attacks. I have learned to focus on real issues, the qualifications of the candidate and the record of performance”.

He said he wants to continue the following: implement our economic development plan to bring/keep more businesses and jobs, support our school district to continue elevate the quality of education for our children, preserve the high quality of life : lowest crime rate, quiet and clean neighborhood, and quality city services and programs, ethical conduct of
officials and employees, others.—Eva Visperas

(This is a story I wrote which was published in The Sunday Punch)

MAPANDAN,Pangasinan–"My world crumbled. They were everything to me.".

Wailing, Josephine Abellera , said this as she could not fathom why her only two children, Richard John, 7, and Ryan Christian, 6, drowned dead in Angalacan River near their residence in Barangay Baloling here.

Josephine, 42, married Rey, also 42, late in their mid 30s and were blessed with two children. Josephine alias Josie said their two children meant the world to them.

“Impabayes na Diyos labat manaya ya agano irayay anak ko ed siyak (God just
lent me my two kids for a while),” she told The PUNCH the other day (Nov. 7).

It was November 4 around 11:30 a.m, when their neighbors gave her her sons’ slippers after they drowned dead. She ran fast towards the river about 300 meters away
from her house in an effort to rescue them.

But, her sons were gone.

"Diad sakey labat ya momento, biglan alusbo su mundok (In an instant, my
world fell apart)," she tearfully said.

That tragic day, Richard John, a grade two pupil in Baloling Elemntary School
here, was to act as ring bearer in a wedding in Dagupan City.

He and his brother, a senior kindergarten in the same school, asked permission from their Mommy to take a bath. Josie, then preparing their things for the wedding, allowed them thinking that they were to take a bath at the water pump in their house. Too late did she learn that her sons went to the river for a bath, an act they never did before.

She recalled that it was only one time last May 1 when her husband came home
that their family went to the river for a bath and had a picnic there. They opted to celebrate Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival), an annual affair in Pangasinan to celebrate the bounties of the sea, in the river to avoid huge crowd. Since then, the kids never returned in that area.

A four- year old playmate who is a relative of the victims, Aldwin Manaois, was with the two for the supposed bath. But because he could not go down the
river, he survived the tragedy. Shocked but was later able to talk, he was the one who told the sad news to his family.

Chief Inspector Leonardo Tamondong, police chief here said, they learned
about the tragedy and immediately went to the area.

With the help of concerned neighbors and the responding police, Richard’s body was recovered around 1:30 p.m. that same day.

Ryan’s was seen the following day around 8:30 a.m. along the river in Casibong, San Jacinto town.

Josie said she didn’t have any premonition about her kids’ untimely death.

She said when the news reached her, she went down the river in an effort to
rescue them and almost got drowned too, as the water was neck-deep. Her
cellular phone got soaked, too. Barangay folks prevented her from going far
and search for her drowning sons.

Feeling useless

She said she felt as if she is a useless mother unable to protect her sons.

“All the time, I was with them. I rode them in our trike bike going to and from school. People were used to seeing us three together anywhere anytime. Even while they were sleeping, I would watch over them,” she said in Pangasinan dialect.

She said she doesn’t know how her husband working as a heavy equipment mechanic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia would react to her once he goes home. A relative
relayed the news to Rey and sent via fax message the death certificates of his sons so he would be allowed to go home.

Her husband requested not to bury his sons yet until he arrives home.

‘Our attention was focused to them. We want to give everything to them. They
are our world,” Josie said.

She said she blames herself for what happened but appealed to their
relatives, especially to her husband and his family to understand her.

She said it’s a good thing that people helped her get through this biggest
trial in her life by giving her advices on how to move on in her life.

“Amtak ya pagsubok labat ya na bilay pero grabe, ansakit ya maung (I know
this is just a trial in life, but it’s too much, it is so hurting),” she said
crying.

She said she is fighting her emotions and accept the fact that this is another mystery in one’s life.

Though she said her husband never hurt her physically, she said she is willing to accept if she would beat her this time because of what happened.

“Kailangan matatag ak anggan agko la amta no panon ak lamet ya ongapo ed
bilay. Wadtan ni asawak ya nepeg kon asikasoen (I should be tough although I
don’t know how to live again. My husband is still there for me and I should
take care of him),” she said.—Eva Visperas

DAGUPAN CITY—Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan), a group of local leaders, adopted as its first and only honorary member, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo during their fellowship meeting on Oct. 24 at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

Arroyo was elated by the move which was unanimously approved by the group led by its founding chairman, Usec for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr, together with Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, 36 mayors , three board members, Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez and his father, Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr present during the meeting.

He said that he feels like a Pangasinense as his wife, President Gloria Arroyo, considers herself as a Pangasinense because her mother, former First Lady Eva Macaraeg-Macapagal, hailed from Binalonan town.

Mr. Arroyo said he shares the battle cry of Biskeg Na Pangasinan which is unity among the leaders so that there will be more progress to attain.

Villar told him that the group was behind the candidacy of President Arroyo in the 2004 elections wherein the expected huge margin by her closest rival was tremendously trimmed down because of the local leaders’ unity for her.

Villar added that this year, the Commission on Elections accredited the group as a provincial political party, the first and only in Pangasinan to be given such feat and distinction.

Right now, 35 mayors have signed up as Biskeg member.