That was the only basis we used in choosing our 2008 Man of the Year. It was not a scientific process as what people tend to think. Yes, it’s a subjective one.
After featuring Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio as our 2007 Man of the Year, we started monitoring people who are exerting efforts to make a difference to history and who have profoundly influenced their provinces/cities in the past year.
There are a lot of people in Central Luzon who made it in our list. Since November last year, I have been asking news sources, correspondents and respected people in the community to send suggestions. We also have meetings. But in the end, we in the editorial team voted for someone who simply knows what he is doing, someone who never stops working and someone whom the public will be eager to know more about.
We have heard “great tales” about him – his dynamism, hardwork and sterling performance – that resulted into Clark Airport’s unprecedented growth. This has benefited thousands of air travelers mostly coming from North and Central Luzon who do not have to go to Manila. Due to the increasing number of flights and passenger, airport officials are now focusing on the construction of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) Terminal 2.
We also asked some of the personalities here in Pampanga to comment on the performance of our Man of the Year.
Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting said he has done a good job. “He is in his element at CIAC. I am glad that he was given the chance to head the organization, it’s an opportunity for him to shine brightly.” We got the same comment from Businessman Rene Romero who also chairs the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon.
“Excellent performance,” said Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico, region 3 director of the Department of Tourism.
Aside from our Cabalens here, we also called some of our friends and peers who work and live abroad. They have been telling us that DMIA is far better than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “We haven’t met the man behind DMIA’s speedy development but we have read a lot about him in the newspapers and in the internet,” they said.
We also reviewed our past issues of Punto and other national publications. He landed on the front page several times, all good news.
Thus, there is no doubt that Mr. Victor Jose Luciano, president and chief executive officer of Clark International Airport Corp., deserves to be Punto Central Luzon’s 2008 Man of the Year.
Cheers!
