HE WAS not so much born as bred into politics, watching – up close and very personal – how his father managed the affairs of his town.
So what did he learn most from there?
“Wherever he goes, my father is most welcome. You feel the sincerity of the people who reach out to him, as well as those he reaches out to. Matula deng tatanggapan. I see that as a testament to the kind of service he gives his constituents,” the son said. “I see him then as an exemplar to follow.”
Hence, with the three-term limit of his elder looming on the horizon, Ron Earvin Dungca, to turn 21 in January 2010 yet, found himself bidding to step in his father’s shoes.
“Big shoes, for sure, but not too big for me to fit in due time,” he hastened to add.
So, how did Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dungca react to his son’s wish to succeed him?
“He laughed, at first. Then he turned serious when he realized I was serious,” Ron recalled.
In what could be some ploy to dissuade him, Buddy then presented before him the hardship and sacrifices in local governance, most especially of Bacolor, still to rise fully from the devastation of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions: from the continuing threat of inundation from Gugu Creek, to the displaced populace yet to return to the hometown from the resettlement sites. And the concomitant challenges, especially of the implementation of the P1-billion Bacolor Rehabilitation Plan.
So much time and work required – so Buddy dramatized – that the pleasures of youth had to be totally put aside.
“I would find much more pleasure, and greater joy in spending my youth in the service of our people,” Ron remembered replying to his father.
And the die was cast. Buddy convinced of the conviction of his son to serve and lead.
For one so young, does Ron have what it takes to be mayor of Bacolor? Aside from being Buddy’s eldest child, that is?
A solid Catholic education – San Beda College, from elementary to high school – ingrained in Ron strong moral fiber, a requisite to local governance, given all the temptations that authority, that power bring. He’s currently into his 4th year in business management at the Angeles University Foundation, Central Luzon’s first Catholic university.
In sheer terms of education, Ron already surpasses a number of local executives, even at least one Pampanga governor who barely finished high school.
His youth – exploited by his prospective rivals as a liability – Ron sees as his greatest asset.
“A great percentage of voters are in my age group, I find them as my natural constituency as they find their natural representation in me. Already, we are getting into that chemistry, from the graduation sorties through the sports activities I coordinated and participated in by all 21 barangays,” Ron said.
“Ilapit me ing sarili mu karing tau. Makiyabe kang tapat karela (Bring yourself closer to the people. Deal most sincerely with them).” So Buddy advised him. So Ron pursues in a barangay immersion program comprising of medical missions and personal interactions with the barangay folk.
“Nanu mang pinundar na, palabungan ku.Tinalakad ne ing Bacolor. Ngeni ing panaun para sumulung ne. (Whatever (Buddy) sowed, I will nurture. Bacolor has risen (from Pinatubo’s ashes). Now is the time for it to move forward).”
Misaup-saup tamung ituluy ing pamagbalik ning maningning nang aldo ning Balen Baculud. (Let us join hands in continuing our efforts to bring back the brilliance to Bacolor). A continuing legacy of service to the people of Bacolor, Ron says of the mission of his mayorship, God most willing.
A rising son for a risen Bacolor there. As good a match as any.
So what did he learn most from there?
“Wherever he goes, my father is most welcome. You feel the sincerity of the people who reach out to him, as well as those he reaches out to. Matula deng tatanggapan. I see that as a testament to the kind of service he gives his constituents,” the son said. “I see him then as an exemplar to follow.”
Hence, with the three-term limit of his elder looming on the horizon, Ron Earvin Dungca, to turn 21 in January 2010 yet, found himself bidding to step in his father’s shoes.
“Big shoes, for sure, but not too big for me to fit in due time,” he hastened to add.
So, how did Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dungca react to his son’s wish to succeed him?
“He laughed, at first. Then he turned serious when he realized I was serious,” Ron recalled.
In what could be some ploy to dissuade him, Buddy then presented before him the hardship and sacrifices in local governance, most especially of Bacolor, still to rise fully from the devastation of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions: from the continuing threat of inundation from Gugu Creek, to the displaced populace yet to return to the hometown from the resettlement sites. And the concomitant challenges, especially of the implementation of the P1-billion Bacolor Rehabilitation Plan.
So much time and work required – so Buddy dramatized – that the pleasures of youth had to be totally put aside.
“I would find much more pleasure, and greater joy in spending my youth in the service of our people,” Ron remembered replying to his father.
And the die was cast. Buddy convinced of the conviction of his son to serve and lead.
For one so young, does Ron have what it takes to be mayor of Bacolor? Aside from being Buddy’s eldest child, that is?
A solid Catholic education – San Beda College, from elementary to high school – ingrained in Ron strong moral fiber, a requisite to local governance, given all the temptations that authority, that power bring. He’s currently into his 4th year in business management at the Angeles University Foundation, Central Luzon’s first Catholic university.
In sheer terms of education, Ron already surpasses a number of local executives, even at least one Pampanga governor who barely finished high school.
His youth – exploited by his prospective rivals as a liability – Ron sees as his greatest asset.
“A great percentage of voters are in my age group, I find them as my natural constituency as they find their natural representation in me. Already, we are getting into that chemistry, from the graduation sorties through the sports activities I coordinated and participated in by all 21 barangays,” Ron said.
“Ilapit me ing sarili mu karing tau. Makiyabe kang tapat karela (Bring yourself closer to the people. Deal most sincerely with them).” So Buddy advised him. So Ron pursues in a barangay immersion program comprising of medical missions and personal interactions with the barangay folk.
“Nanu mang pinundar na, palabungan ku.Tinalakad ne ing Bacolor. Ngeni ing panaun para sumulung ne. (Whatever (Buddy) sowed, I will nurture. Bacolor has risen (from Pinatubo’s ashes). Now is the time for it to move forward).”
Misaup-saup tamung ituluy ing pamagbalik ning maningning nang aldo ning Balen Baculud. (Let us join hands in continuing our efforts to bring back the brilliance to Bacolor). A continuing legacy of service to the people of Bacolor, Ron says of the mission of his mayorship, God most willing.
A rising son for a risen Bacolor there. As good a match as any.
