Ben Contreras
IT was a great moment to be like kids again. That nostalgic feeling was made more profound by wearing the traditional white polo with the logo of their Alma Mater. Justice Romy Borja just did that and I could feel how he felt–proud of his being an Atenean. And there were many of them, too.
Like Batch ’65 of Kong Hua High School, Batch ’65 of Xavier High also heard mass at the Xavier Chapel known to many of us but has undergone several renovations through the years. It was the first time for me to hear mass in Latin.
But it was not just about the XU Golden Jubilarians, the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals or the launching of Gabay-Kristo advocated by the Pilipino Movement for Transformational Politics. More than all these, it was the 100th birth anniversary of our late former Vice President Emmanuel “Maning” N. Pelaez whom many in the new generation may not know about or failed to know and appreciate for his contributions to our country, our society and our life.
His failed rendezvous with death popularized a statement made by him: “What is happening to our country, General?”
He was a native of Medina, Misamis Oriental born on Nov. 30, 1915, educated in Cagayan de Oro Elementary School and graduated valedictorian. He finished his high school at Ateneo de Manila, earned a degree in Arts at the UP Cebu Junior College, a law degree in 1938 at the University of Manila and topped the bar exam the same year. Since then, he rose to prominence in private and public life. His political life is a good read for the young generation of today.
To mention a few, he worked in the Senate and practiced law before becoming a Special Prosecutor of the People’s Court. He was elected congressman in his province in 1949, named one of the 10 Outstanding Congressmen by various prestigious associations, served as senator and cited most outstanding senator, and then elected Vice President in 1961.
Martial Law and the failed assassination put a comma in his political life. But he continued to serve and was appointed by then President Ferdinand Marcos as a member of the Philippine Panel in the military bases negotiations with the United States and appointed by President Cory Aquino as ambassador to the United States.
Aquino also named him head of the Rural Electrification Program, earning him the moniker “Father of Rural Electrification.”
The failed assassination also brought Pelaez nearer to God. Whatever he did since then is now being lived and followed by his children. His love for Mother Nature is exemplified by what is today the Mapawa, a legacy of the Pelaez family to the people of Cagayan de Oro City.
Let not the life and deeds of Vice President Emmanuel N. Pelaez be forgotten. He would have been a great President, the pride of Mindanao, a gem in his province of Misamis Oriental and a man for Filipinos.
If you are fascinated by the book on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the book on Vice President Emmanuel N. Pelaez is no less fascinating.
Get your copy now!
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