Today, September 28, marks the birth centenary of former President Diosdado P. Macapagal, who is fondly called as “Apung Dadong” by his cabalens.
The provincial government of Pampanga, along with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the municipal government of Lubao — the former President’s birthplace – has lined up activities in celebration of Apung Dadong’s 100th birthday.
An early start is a wreath-laying ceremony at the Macapagal bust located at the capitol compound to be led by Governor Lilia G. Pineda. This is followed by a motorcade from the City of San Fernando to Lubao, after which a mass commences at 8:00 am, capped by a short program at the San Agustin Church.
Highlight of the program will be the presentation of commemorative stamps to former President and now second district Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Then Arroyo herself, along with NHCP chair Ambeth R. Ocampo, will sign the deed of donation of the Diosdado Macapagal Museum and Library to the Commission.
Next stop is the Pampanga High School, Apung Dadong’s alma mater, where a marker in his name shall be unveiled as part of the commemorative activities.
The birth centenary is likewise observed in various institutions. The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) mounted a month-long photo exhibit on the life and times of Apung Dadong at SM City Clark and SM City San Fernando, sponsored a memorial lecture by Hilarion M. Henares, Jr., chair of the National Museum of the Philippines, a wreath-laying ceremony at the University’s main lobby and an inter-high school Kapampangan poetry competition. Posters on the birth centenary also adorn the many shops and boutiques of malls in Pampanga.
Other schools also paid special tributes to Apung Dadong in school programs and classroom activities to acquaint the young generation with the contributions of the former President to the country and the good values he espoused from which they could learn much.
The lady governor of Pampanga, herself a native of Lubao, sums up Apung Dadong’s legacy when she said, “The story of his life from rags to riches, from poverty to the Presidency, were marked with his signature humility, honesty, hard work and integrity, more than enough reason for his memory to be revered by his “cabalens” and countrymen”.
Meanwhile, some kabalens have shared fond memories with Apung Dadong.
Septuagenarian Alejandra Tuazon of Sto. Tomas town remembers having been very happy when Apong Dadong became the first Kapampangan President of the Philippines. “Siempre matula ku aniang ing mibotung presidenti metung yang Kapampangan, pagmaragul tamu ita.”
Octogenarian Josefina Punsalan, a former public school teacher, regards the years leading to the Macapagal presidency as part of the golden years of governance, “He remained clean, untainted by any charge of corruption, and he projected honesty, integrity and humility, even while holding the highest post in the land”.
Two ladies in their thirties, both government employees, recall having run into the former President at a bookstore in Makati. They say he was with only one security escort and they approached him freely and he asked them where they come from and if they were there to buy books as well.
They say that incident is “one for the books, a once in a lifetime happening, and will remain a milestone in their lives” and they would be constantly reminded of it when they got to “serve his daughter Gloria when it was her turn to lead the country as President”.
These are only a few instances which validate why Kapampangans and non-Kapampangans alike hold Apung Dadong in high esteem, even to this day. (Pampanga PIO)
