BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE STATE of the District Address (SODA) of Bacolod City Lone District’s Cong. Greg Gasataya on July 7 really spelled a difference. It touched many hearts and lives.
He delivered it beyond the usual – with candid emotions that magnetized everyone’s attention inside the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
Instead of narrating his eight-year accomplishments with the usual list of infra projects and sponsored House measures, Greg or his prodteam (production team) employed short films that further dramatized the solon’s unique brand of public service. Truly amazing, astonishing!
But what struck my attention was the “Daboy’s shoes” short film. It was all about the story of a poor lad-turned-basketball fanatic-turned-slam dunker from Barangay Handumanan.
Wilfredo Fernandez alias Daboy, like any other ordinary guy, dreamt of becoming a basketball ace someday, a slam dunker. In 2017, he was included in a team in Bacolod and in Manila. But what bothered him most was that he had no tennis shoes to wear. Yes he had an old pair, but dependent on rugby (as sticking element) to ensure that the soles (swelas) won’t divorce from the shoe body.
His father, sans hesitation, approached Greg and asked for basketball shoes for Daboy.
Greg granted such request, and fast forward, Daboy is now a slam dunk sensation in Manila, reaching his goal to become famous and, at the same time, earning a living out of his extraordinary skills and talent in basketball.
Daboy’’s story is, indeed, relatable to the ordinary – especially to the poor – people in Bacolod.
‘JUST BROADCASTER’
Same with Greg who is proud to say that he’s a product of a poor family in Bacolod.
He thus feels what the commoners feel – ang maglibot pangutang para inug-ibayad tuition sa eskwelahan, ang mangita indulhensya para may inugbakal pagkaon o bugas nga tilig-angon. This was Greg’s life and struggles before he reached his current pedestal.
But one will always remember him as a broadcaster of Bombo Radyo-Bacolod. In the ‘90s, of course, Greg was famous on the Bacolod airwaves. And when he entered politics, he labeled him as “just a broadcaster”.
Simple to say or interpret: Ano gid ang mahimo sang isa ka broadcaster in the field of public service…in politics?
Greg proved them wrong. From councilor to vice mayor to congressman, no doubt, he did will.
Greg candidly said he used all his experiences in life – being poor – and as “just a broadcaster” to create a new brand of public service – and he triumphed.
BEYOND ROADS, BRIDGES
To be a congressman, you will not be defined by how many roads, bridges, barangay halls, and markets you have built. These are the usual infra projects funded by people’s money through taxes.
And Greg’s right. He created legacies direct to the hearts and minds not of the “super” but ordinary people of Bacolod.
Daboy’s shoes story is one – deep in meaning, but there’s “magic” within. Candid and catchy to remember that truly represents everyone’s story in the poor communities of Bacolod.
Add on the stories of Andrea Nicole Sumugat of Mansilingan and Ezra “Enzo” Acojedo of Tangub.
Andrea was Greg’s college scholar who graduated summa cum laude and topped the Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers in 2017.
Enzo, on the other hand, is a poor boy suffering from tetralogy of fallot (in the heart), and was operated at the Philippine Heart Center through the financial assistance provided by Greg’s office.
HARD FOR COPYCATS
Daboy’s, Andrea’s and Enzo’s stories are Greg’s greatest feats hard for copycats to follow.
There are “hidden elements” that only the heart and mind can decipher or tell. Thus, helping the trio achieved their wishes in life is Greg’s “mighty consolation” worthy of praise and emulation.
After all, GGG is no longer Greg G. Gasataya in Bacolod, rather, a GRACE with GLORIFYING GREATNESS for Bacoleños.
So, Greg was admired when he declared in the midst of the crowd: “Continue to watch me work!”
It was an open-ended catchphrase that puzzled everyone, hinting a continuation of his public service beyond his nine-year tour of duty as congressman of Bacolod in 2025.
Question: Will he run for mayor against the sitting Mayor Albee Benitez?
The answer could be exciting yet intriguing.
So, abangan in the next two months!/PN
