Invitation to a quiet revolt
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Jun 2012
THE Governor of the Province of Pangasinan, Amado T. Espino Jr., always had a hard time explaining to guests how the provincial capitol was once a virtual garbage dump, the building and facilities in an advanced state of disrepair and decay.
The place, overlooking historic Lingayen Bay, was utterly unfit for official habitation.
?It?s now called the Malacanang of the North,? said Butch Velasco, provincial information officer.
Long given up for lost, the capitol has also risen majestically from a wasteland into a humble display window of dignity and quiet elegance.
**
?It?s a must-see for visitors of the province,? Velasco explained.
He said the architecture??French-influenced but Filipino inspired??mounted mainly on hardwood, was a personal choice of the Governor.
What?s truly inspiring was the absence of loudness--common in residences built courtesy of OFM remittances--along provincial highways and interior roads in the North.
Instead of scream about successful governance and flaunt the financial success in the province, the capitol has been turned into a symbol of honest dedication.
**
The truth, explained the provincial information officer, was that the renaissance had needed a firm revolutionary hand.
An info sheet on Gov. Espino said he ?translates great adversities into golden opportunities.?
Here are some little-known pogi points on Espino, courtesy of his information officer: ?A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), he engaged enemies of the state, was ambushed and left for dead by a company of the New People?s Army led by Kumander Dante. After landing in the ICU and 18 months of medical care, he formed a special task force of 14 men and captured Kumander Dante. His hits included other insurgents and drug lords, feats that earned him several spot promotions. He was awarded the Gold Cross Medal, the highest military honor.?
**
The information officer stressed that Espino has always maintained great standards of excellence in whatever he does.
But enough this: Allow me to instead confess that your reporter here was abducted last weekend by two friends, national cycling great Jesus Garcia Jr. and veteran news correspondent Jun Velasco.
We had a short drive from Mangaldan and, before I knew it, there was Gov. Espino extending his hand in warm welcome.
The meeting place was surrounded by water, and we had to take a short bridge.
I didn?t know exactly what that meeting with the Governor was all about.
**
For starters, Gov. Espino introduced his guests to the broiled sinungayan fish, whose intestines, the liver mainly, he claimed to be a tested main source of virility.
For the record, Gov. Espino was most thankful for a previous column wherein his plans for setting up a sports academy in Pangasinan had been mentioned.
I told him that, frankly, a sports academy--a training and learning institute--is no kid stuff.
He said he got doubly convinced about setting up an independent sports academy after his successful staging of the Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan.
He said he was aghast after witnessing first hand the disunity among national sports leaders.
**
He also noticed the lack of a proper outlook and philosophy that should be the guide posts to a successful Olympic quest.
By the way, Espino happened to be a top-rate flyweight boxer during his years at the PMA.
He noted the visible lack of proper measurement and science among national boxers.
?We will be needing sports medicine, with specialists like Dr. Raul Canlas, in the academy,? he explained.
No, he?s not planning a coup, but honestly wants to introduce revolutionary changes in the national sports set-up; although he happened to an original member of the RAM together with now Sen. Gringo Honasan
?I just hate it when they say that winning an Olympic gold medal would cure all the raging disunity, the assorted ills in Philippine sports,? he groaned.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026