GMA to grace Pandan Fiesta

What are friends for? Friendship, the Antiqueno way, is gauged by attending a friend’s hometown fiesta. And when the Antique governor invites, "it’s hard to say no to Tita Sally," as one lawmaker said. Not even the President of the Republic could take a rain check.

President Arroyo is slated to grace the celebration of the annual town fiesta of Pandan, Antique on April 25, 2006. This was confirmed by Malacañang through Undersecretary Gamaliel A. Cordoba, head of the Presidential Appointment Office, in response to the formal invitation sent by Gov. Salvacion Z. Perez.

Gov. Perez, in a letter dated March 30, 2006 reiterated her invitation to President Arroyo to grace her hometown’s fiesta. PGMA, in the forthcoming visit, is expected to inaugurate the Calixto O. Zaldivar Memorial Hospital, named after the governor’s father, former President Diosdado Macapagal’s Executive Secretary. After the Malacañang stint, Macapagal named Zaldivar to the Supreme Court.

After the elder Macapagal, his daughter Gloria became the President when Pres. Joseph Estrada was deposed. The same loyalty has been accorded to a Zaldivar scion. Salvacion (Perez), is fondly called Inday Sally by the Macapagals. Sally Perez has been at the forefront rallying for the President during the many political crises experienced by her administration. As PGMA’s gesture of appreciation, she recently flew in to Iloilo to grace a Central Philippine University (CPU) event where a plaque of recognition was awarded to the Zaldivar family as alumni and for their support to the university.

Governor Perez said that the visit of the President is a chance for the Antiquenos to show their gratitude and support to PGMA for the many projects that she had extended to the province of Antique. The President’s last visit to Antique was in January 2005 to inaugurate two new concrete bridges, Cangaranan Bridge in Brgy. Ilaures, Bugasong and Dalanas Bridge connecting the towns of Barbaza and Tibiao and a farm-to-market road in Valderrama, Antique.