Celso to Don Pablo Teachers: Talk about the best of Zambo
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday challenged the teachers of Don Pablo Lobrenzo Memorial High School (DPLMHS) to appreciate and help promote the good, the best, the positive and the beautiful things about Zamboanga City as he lashed out at his critics for always putting down the many achievements of the city government.
“It is your obligation and responsibility as teachers to bring about the good, the best, the positive and the beautiful things about Zamboanga City because you yourselves know more than anybody else what we have been doing in your school and the entire city,” Lobregat said in his message, keynoting the 16th Dia de Don Pablo yesterday at the DPLMHS gym.
“Change, yes we want, but let us see to it that we will change for the better and not for the worst,” Lobregat stressed in reference to the local opposition’s cry for change. “If it ain’t broken, why fix it?” he added.
Yesterday’s occasion marked the birth of Lobregat’s grandfather, Don Pablo Lorenzo in 1887, after whom the then Zamboanga City High School North was named to what is now known as DPLMHS pursuant to Ordinance No. 154 passed by the City Council on August 30, 1994 and approved by then city mayor, the late Vitaliano D. Agan.
The naming ordinance was in fitting recognition of Lorenzo’s colorful achievements in the service of Zamboangueños and the Filipinos in general, having been the second mayor of the city (1939), Constitutional Assembly delegate, secretary of Public Works and Education and chairman of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), all under the administrations of then President Emilio Quirino and President Diosdado Macapagal.
Lorenzo had five children from the former Luisa Rafols. They were Isabel, Maria Clara - who became the city’s congresswoman, the only woman mayor and Concon delegate - Maria Luisa, Pablo, the only living among his siblings, and Luis.
Leading the commemorative program were Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Norma M. Vecina, officer-in-charge of DPLMHS, designated Assistant School Head Jonathan G. Silao, retired principal Norma Macrohon, teachers and students.
Lobregat was accompanied by his running mate Councilor Cesar Iturralde, re-electionists Rudy Lim, Eddie Saavedra, Nonong Guingona, Lilia Nuño, Rey Candido and Luis Biel together with council aspirants Pipin Pareja, VP Elago and Kaiser Olaso. (Vic Larato)