“Ingko Pedong” dies at 90

CEBU, Philippines - Former Mandaue City Mayor Alfredo Ouano passed away yesterday morning.

Popularly known as Ingko Pedong, Ouano died at 10 a.m. in the presence of his family at the Perpetual Succour Hospital. He was 90 years old.

Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano, his eldest son, said their father has been suffering from prostate cancer and was also diagnosed with cancer of the bone.

PB Ouano said their father has been in and out of the hospital since early last month. He urged his family to allow his father to be discharged last October 14 since he wanted to celebrate his birthday at his residence in Barangay Opao.

Ingko Pedong made the request since his two daughters, Jessica Ouano-Rosario and Hazel Ouano Alfuerto, just arrived from abroad to grant their father’s wish to see his children.

However, three days ago, he was again brought to the hospital due to pains. PB Ouano said he still could not believe that their father has died since his blood pressure and heart rate record showed good signs on Thursday.

Pedong died just a few hours after his son, Michael Ouano, arrived from Ohio, USA.

PB Ouano said that when his father was brought to the hospital in October, Ingko Pedong opposed, citing the high cost of hospitalization.

“Sus, wa lang dyud gihapon mawala ang pagka-komediyante aning akong amahan. Akong giingnan og ayaw kahasol kay ako’y mobayad tanan, apan giingnan naman nuon ko nga ‘salamat na lang dong, ikaw na lang higda dire kay mouli nako’,” the Provincial Board member narrated.

He said his father told him that instead of paying for his hospital bills, he should rather give the money to the poor.

“Ayaw na lagi og palabi ug gasto dong, ihatag na lang na sa mga pobre,” PB Ouano quoted his father as saying.

PB Ouano said his father’s heart belongs to the poor because his political career started in the barangay before he became a municipal councilor from 1956 to 1963.

He became vice mayor of Mandaue City from 1972 to1986 and eventually became the city’s fourth mayor from 1988 to 1998. He was then succeeded by his son, Thadeo, who also finished three terms.

Aside from Ingko Pedong and Thadeo, a number of Ouanos also joined politics, including Ingko Pedong’s daughter, current councilor Emmarie “Lollipop” Ouano-Dizon, former Opao barangay captain Jovita “Joy” Ouano, who also became ABC president, and Basilisa Ouano, the incumbent barangay captain of Opao.  A seasoned politician, Ingko Pedong was a man close to the masses who would always crack jokes, said PB Ouano.

“Siguro ang matawag nga greatest legacy ni papa mao dyud ang kaduol sa iyang dughan ngadto sa masa kay gikan man gud siya sa barangay, mao dyuy iyang gusto nga mapahimutang ang mga kabus,” PB Ouano said.

Ingko Pedong was a boxing enthusiast and a promoter of the sport.

One of his projects was the North Reclamation Area. “Kun wa pa nang reclamation area nga project ni papa, maghuot dyud unta ang traffic sa Mandaue ron,” PB Ouano said.

Ingko Pedong is survived by his wife, Dolores Zambo Ouano, and his 11 children. — Flor Z.Perolina/ATO (FREEMAN)