DON VICENTE

Vicente Singson y Encarnacion, or "Don Vicente" as he was fondly referred to was a giant among men and a Filipino statesman ahead of his time, having been hailed as one of the greatest Filipinos of his era and chosen to be one of the "seven wise men" for his proposals for the 1934 Constitutional Convention which later became the Philippine Constitution of 1935. He was an illustrious son of industrious and pious parents Agripino Singson and Benita Angco Encarnacion. He was married to Lucila Diaz Conde who gifted him with nine children namely: Vicente Jr., Carlos, Mariano, Julian, Enrique, Nieves, Lourdes, Lucila, and Ma. Paz. He was a distinguished member of the Philippine Independence Mission to Washington, D.C. USA in 1919 and then again in 1934 together with Isauro Gabaldon, Claro M. Recto, Jorge Bocobo (my grandfather), Pedro Guevara, Sergio Osmena, and Manuel L. Quezon. There, he spoke extensively on the great economic potential of the Philippines under a dynamic leadership of patriotic Filipinos.

A former Assemblyman, Senator, and Cabinet Member under the administration of President Quezon and President Osmena respectively, Don Vicente held simultaneous government posts which include as Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce and Secretary of Finance. While head of this department, the Central Bank of the Philippines came into fruition which would thereafter direct all monetary policies for the good of the country. He ventured into various business interests, the longest being President of the Insular Life Corporation, a position he held for three decades. He was extensively successful in his business undertakings much like his years serving the country as an ideal public servant.

He was instrumental in laying the foundation of our country's independence while extending social justice for all Filipinos, thus establishing a solid economic structure for future generations to come. But in spite of all his grand accomplishments in life, he maintained a humble disposition believing in hard work, a steady hand, and a prayerful life.

After his retirement from public life, Don Vicente settled with his wife Lucila in their vast Balintawak Estate which would be his last earthly abode. He was faithful with his duties as husband and father, and as a moral guardian of the nation. He was worthy of emulation. He is remembered as a statesman who gave so much of his time and his talent for the betterment of the Filipino race, and in doing so he left behind a grateful nation for every good and noble deed he accomplished in his lifetime.

He passed away on a clear and sunny day on May 27, 1961 at age 86.

 "MAYOR BONITO"

I was overjoyed over recent news that Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Bonito Singson has filed his Certificate of Candidacy for City Mayor of vintage Vigan. This city may be ancient, dating back to the days of our Spanish conquistadores as evidenced by its edifices and Castellano influence and attitude, what with its sumptuous cuisine and the popular "siesta time" welcomed by the hardworking and industrious Ilocano, but "Mayor Bonito" carries with him quick action over difficulties and new ideas with a dynamic leadership as a first-class Filipino with a big heart for the people of Vigan. Confident over his imminent victory, I anticipate beautiful changes for Bigenyos under his term.

I met Bonito some 38 years ago. And him being a Singson, I knew exactly the environment he lived in where politics often took center stage on the dinner table. But I saw something else in him. Way back then, he already had big plans for the days ahead which turned into weeks, then months and then years. He was patient with time but already had a grand plan to succeed in business, and fate would smile upon him with a cornucopia of business opportunities. He built his business empire in just a little under two decades of determination and hard work. A remarkable feat for anyone who has experienced great personal challenges in life. He turned stumbling blocks into stepping stones to get where he wanted to be in life. Today, he has "arrived" but not without giving back to society what was offered to him. Bonito has a huge charitable spirit, always ready to extend a hand in friendship or to help the downtrodden in any way possible to make their journey in life less burdensome. He not only fed people with fish, he also taught them how to fish and where to cast their bait for a sure big bite. And big in business is Bonito today. But something even more surprising happened in 2019. He suddenly was the main 'piece de resistance' perhaps on that same dinner table. He won a congressional seat as a partylist representative without really expecting this sudden turn of fate. His performance and track record in the House of Representatives are very impressive, which also granted him chairmanship of a powerful committee. The tasks prepared him well for bigger responsibilities such as chief executive of a city. I can honestly say that he is well-equipped for the job of Mayor of Vigan City. Bonito is a good man with a good heart. A gentleman and a gentle man. Proud of this man's achievements in life, I know he will do perfectly well and the city will at last return to its old glory. He is what Vigan exactly needs today.