Fellowship for Clark

 

THIS ANNUAL fellowship has become a platform for the reaffirmation of the relationship, professional and cordial, between the Clark agencies and the media. As well as for the renewal of our commitment of support for the development of Clark.

Lest we forget, this is also a time for thanksgiving. And we have much, much to thank for this year.

For one, the excellence in good corporate governance collectively -- the Clark Development Corp. and the Clark International Airport Corp. ranking highest, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority raised to the Hall of Fame in the Performance Scorecard of Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations – is more than enough a cause for a grateful celebration.

Individually, there is as much excellence we have seen in all three agencies this year. Top of mind now –

The BCDA for the multi-billion developments at Hann Reserve starting to rise in New Clark City, the Central Bank mint, among many others.

From its virtual relegation to the backburner with the Clark International Airport operation and management handed over to the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp., CIAC has come into its own anew with a multi-modal hub of events, tourism and entertainment, food trading, among others in the pipeline sooner than soon.

The CDC’s rich harvest of awards from just about every corporate and government entity, not the least of which is the jewel in the crown for 2023 – Asia Leaders Awards “Woman of the Year” which is yet another first in the woman of many firsts, CDC president-CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera.

We can only exclaim, thank God, for Clark. And we in the media have a lot of good news to proclaim.

In this great scheme of events, the adverse issues that obtained this year between us are nothing more than the proverbial tempest in a teapot.

Ruffled relationships, that nonetheless took an intermediary to unravel, indeed a mediatrix beloved by all. Motivated only as she is by her unwavering faith in Clark, her unfaltering hope in its potential, and her unconditional love for her people who shall reap rewards from its development. I refer to no other than Nanay Lilia G. Pineda.

Whence this syllogism has become a personal article of faith, a pledge of commitment: Mahal ako ni Nanay. Mahal ko si Nanay. Kaya – sa abot ng hangganan ng mga pamantayan at panuntunan ng malayang pamahayagan – mamahalin ko rin ang mga minamahal ni Nanay. Amor con amor se paga, wika nga ng mga Kastila.

Tiyak ko na ang damdaming ito ay umiiral din sa ating hanay sa media. Katunayan, nitong Nobyembre lamang, sa pagtatalaga sa tungkulin ng bagong pamunuan ng Central Luzon Media Association – Pampanga Chapter, umusbong mula sa maimahinasyong diwa ng doble-bisionaryong si Ginoong Deng Pangilinan ang pinagtagpi-tagping mga titik at bilang na naging pahayag pagpapahalaga na siya na ngayong bukambibig ng buong kapatiran.

Maari bang tumayo si Ginoong Deng para siya mismo ang magpahayag sa atin ng kanyang siniping kawikaan – “143-VST, VST-143.”

Sa CIAC, ay mayroon na ring pagbati ng pagapapahalaga ang CLMA-Pampanga na nabuo naman noong balitaan-talakayan nito kasama ang president ng ahensiya: “Arrey, hooray! Hooray, Arrey!”

At marapat lamang na mayroon din ang BCDA: “For Clark’s sake, it’s Jake!”

Hanggang dito na lamang. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

(Message delivered as chairman emeritus of the CLMA-Pampanga Chapter during the BCDA-CDC-CIAC Media Fellowship held at Royce Hotel and Casino, 14 Dec. 2023)