CLARK FREEPORT – The fourth book written by Dr. Irineo “Bong” G. Alvaro, Jr. was launched at the poolside of the Midori Hotel Clark here over the weekend teeming with live on sight guests and virtually via Zoom.
“The Roads I Have Taken,” is a 150-page book chronicling the paths the author has traversed in his remarkable life which all began in the bucolic town of Concepcion, Tarlac where he was born.
Dr. Dolores T. Quiambao, vice president and dean of the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Graduate School, set the tone for the evening with her insightful introduction of Alvaro.
Although not physically present, Quiambao was able to portray the author as a man who succeeded in life despite limitations in his childhood with her virtual presentation via Zoom.
Emceed by popular broadcaster Perry Pangan, the evening progressed as he touched on the life of the author with various anecdotes, foremost among them was how a frog became a prince.
Alvaro was likened to a frog or “tugak” in the vernacular when he was a boy because as Quiambao put it, “he was vertically challenged.”
Other speakers of various persuasions in religion, politics and the academe took turns in what they say about the book and its author.
Among them, Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto, DD, who spoke via Zoom. The prelate described the author as “a restless pilgrim.”
“Dr. Alvaro is a man of great faith”…and that his “meaningful life will culminate in the final journey of our Passover, the Risen Christ, the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6),” the beloved prelate said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also vividly recalled how Alvaro, “once the highest-ranking Filipino civilian employee and a feisty labor leader in Clark Air Base, prophetically declared there is not just life after the bases but a better life that Filipinos could do better if the baselands are transformed into economic zones.”
Dr. George V. Samson, president and CEO of the World Medial Relief based in the USA, said of the book: “This astounding book of life will surely change your life.”
DHVSU president Dr. Enrique Baking who also spoke via Zoom praised Alvaro for writing his life’s journey.
Alvaro dedicated The Roads I Have Taaken to his mother “whom I considered as the greatest of all caregivers and to my lowly father who showed me the road beyond an impoverished life.”
Alvaro also expressed his profound gratitude to his wife Irene for her immense and untiring support and their sons Karlo Nicolas for the great introduction of the book and Francis Jericho for providing the drawing for the cover page.
At the end of the program, Alvaro distributed copies of his book to every guest which he personally signed.
Alvaro’s other books include: The ABCDs of Local Legislation, Fiona: A Journey with an Angel, and Do You Think You Can Manage A Parish?
