022 Hello, Iloilo (1)
It wasn’t meant to be. The plan was for me to accompany the boss, education secretary Jesli Lapus, to a couple of speaking engagements in Iloilo and Guimaras provinces. I prepared the two speeches for these events, which I was to show him enroute to Iloilo City. On the way to the airport, however, his assistant (Ate Edna) called to tell me that the boss wasn’t feeling well, and worse, that I was to deliver the two speeches on his behalf.
So I flew solo that morning with the suspicion that this was the secretary’s plan all along. Before I reached any conclusion, the 45-minute flight had landed and I was the first one out of the plane. As I headed for the airport building, I saw this banner proclaiming “Welcome, Secretary Jesli Lapus” being held by a couple of officials from the regional office, since I was greeted with a smile by the regional director, the late Dr. Vic Tirol, who was there with them on the tarmac.
After the mandatory pleasantries and photos (on the tarmac!), we were on our way to what I assumed was my hotel. But Tirol nonchalantly asked if I had time to go to his office to meet his people. Obviously, I said yes. And what I thought was a casual hi-hello with a few officials turned out to be an entire program with me as guest of honor (What I found amazing was the fact that it wasn’t just an afterthought since my name was in the printed program for the event!).
One ad lib speech later, I was finally on my way to the hotel. But… yes, but… Tirol opened his mouth again— nonchalantly again—asking me if I had anything planned in the afternoon. I said no. So he then told me that the division superintendent of the city, Dr. Ray Lapating, wanted to show me one of his schools. Naturally, the gracious guest in me said yes.
Right after lunch, two men picked me up at the hotel and drove me out of the city (It took me all of 20 minutes to realize that I don’t even know these people!). They took me to a town called Pavia. And my worries were eased only when I saw a lot of people heading toward what was obviously a public school (These two people were in fact who they said they were!).
But why all these people? I wondered. Lo and behold, there’s a whole welcome party lined up for my arrival—the mayor and some other town officials. And as is the custom in these school events, there was a marching band to welcome this reluctant guest (I thought I was just going to see the buildings there!). All those people were there to see me!
After yet another impromptu speech, we headed back to Iloilo City.
A few minutes into the drive, Lapating casually asked if we could pass by Iloilo City National High School, so he could show me this historic school (I believe it’s the oldest there and had some famous alumni). I told my gracious host that it’s okay to go, but I needed to head back to the hotel immediately since there was an issue in the office I had to address (Honest!).
He said it would take only a few minutes. So we headed to the school. On the back of my mind, however, I was already thinking of the worst.
Sadly, even that wasn’t as bad as what transpired.
(To be continued)