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BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
IT WAS exactly 67 days before Christmas or 73 days before New Year when former Bacolod City councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan got a “heaven’s surprise”.
It was a certification from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) declaring that his name has (already) been removed/delisted from the Inter-Agency Drug Information Database (IADID).
It was signed by DILG secretary Eduardo Año, approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, and was officially issued on Aug. 11, 2021. But Cano got hold of the copy of this certification only on the third week of October.
In sum, Cano’s now a freeman. And for him, it’s a “priceless” Christmas present he’d ever received in his entire life. Thus, during a press conference at the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City on Saturday, Oct. 23, it was as if Cano was on “Cloud 9”.
Aside from his official pronouncement in front of the press, Cano also danced with his supporters and friends. He was so ecstatic, turning the press conference into a euphoric mini-fiesta.
Understandable! This is a “sweet vindication” after all – not just for him but for his entire family.
For Cano, therefore, this DILG certification is now a family “heirloom” that he could pass on to his “apos” so they will no longer be ridiculed. It could be more precious than 100 tons of gold. Also, it’s a beacon of hope that lit Cano’s path from the darkest tunnel of uncertainties to the ultimate road to freedom.
Thus, exclaimed Cano: “I am (now) vindicated! My family is vindicated, too!” “This is a sweet vindication to savor- no more, no less!”
DARKEST EPISODE
Cano admitted that the illegal drug issue labeled against him and his family was the “darkest episode” in his life.
“I’ve suffered a lot. My family (terribly) suffered a lot,” he revealed.
He even confessed there was a time he was about to give up. But he said his faith in God led him in turning every “sleepless night” into a moment of prayer.
“I just prayed and prayed to God. And I am confident that He will neither forsake nor abandon me…And so it paid off!” he punctuated. “The DILG certification is an answered prayer. It is justice in black and white and the final page of a bad, bad dream. ”
“Now, I can walk free!” he triumphantly declared.
ENORMOUS STRUGGLE
But even prior to this “sweet vindication,” Cano’s life was already an open book.
Everybody knows how he (really) weathered an enormous struggle likened to a surprised “hurricane” that almost ravaged his family and their businesses.
Cano, with his world-class Campuestohan Highland Resort, has been regarded as the “Father of Tourism” not just in Negros but in the entire Visayas.
He is also known as the “man with the golden heart” in the “City of Smiles”.
But what also made him famous and, at the same time, controversial is his unbent political statement against corruption: “Si Cano Tan, indi kawatan!”
Such led him, too, to a “rocky road” that almost cost his life. Political envy, perhaps, had caused the brouhaha.
On record, Cano and his wife, Nita, were ambushed somewhere in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod in December 2018. They survived unscathed, but were “dwarfed” by trauma.
On Jan. 12, 2019, no less than President Duterte, in one of the socials in Bacolod, verbally linked him to the illegal drug trade.
Eleven months after the President’s pronouncement, Cano’s elder brother, Roberto “Kaishek” Tan was gunned down by two unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod in broad daylight of Dec. 15, 2019. The case remains mysterious to date.
‘MAN-MADE TRAGEDY’
For Cano, what happened to them was a “man-made tragedy”.
It all started with fake news peddled by someone who, probably, has personal and political “angst” against him, he claimed.
Then, everything, he added, was stirred by intrigues and blown out of proportion.
“But God is good,” he quipped, adding, “and truth triumphed!”
Thus, he appealed to his distractor(s): “Let me be your last victim, please.”
Too, he warned them: “Yes, lies travel fast, but truth will always prevail.”
Yes, I do agree with Cano’s quip. Because struggle is real but so is God.
Even Canadian civil servant, poet and musician Duncan Campbell stressed, “There’s no easy way to victory. The highest values in life must be fought and won.”
BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE
Well, Cano’s life story is not just good for Charo Santos’ drama anthology “Maala-ala Mo Kaya”. Rather, it‘s worth to be scripted for a movie “swak” on Netflix.
Imagine the character to be portrayed by the chosen leading man later – from a sari-sari store owner to a simple businessman to a restaurateur to a politician to a tourism magnate to an alleged drug lord to a victorious free man.
Suggested title: This is it!
People will love this, and I am pretty sure this will be a blockbuster movie that will surely outshine the most-watched “John Wick” series.
On a serious note, I can say that Cano’s disposition amidst misery in life was, indeed, superb. He didn’t give up.
Too, never that he allowed himself to be “swallowed” by misery, which world-renowned dancer and choreographer Martha Graham likened it to a communicable disease.
Like Haring Solomon in the Bible, Cano also believes “lahat ay may takdang panahon.” Because even American Baptist Pastor Rick Warren also stressed that the more you believe and trust God, the more limitless your possibilities become for your family, your career – and for your life.
With this, Cano simply kept the right perspective by way of trusting God’s timing that the day shall come and he’ll be vindicated. Now that justice is served, Cano can now sing and dance with Gary Valenciano’s Christian hit song “Shout for Joy”.
After all, his victory over the illegal drug issue is considered a special gift from heaven./PN