Following Dick

This column has followed the career of Richard "Dick" Gordon – from the time he was a delegate (the youngest) to the 1971 Constitutional Convention to when he was mayor of Olongapo City, then chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and finally, secretary of tourism. Dick is the kind of person one either hates or loves, and this columnist, who falls under the latter, recommends sending him to the Senate.

I did not like Dick when I first met him personally as Olongapo mayor, I having been on the side of a priest who declared Dick as not pro-children. As a journalist should, I went to interview him in his office, was half-impressed, but in time, found him to be hard-working and sincere.

As Olongapo City mayor in the early 80’s, Dick mobilized people power to solve crime, ensure police accountability, provide efficient garbage collection, proper health and sanitation, and created an orderly public transport and traffic system that is said to be the envy of other cities. What’s more, he transformed a "wild and wooly sin city" into a model provincial metropolis.

He rose to national prominence as chairman of SBMA. With his wife, Representative Kate Gordon filing what would become the 1992 Bases Conversion and Development Act, Dick, who became the SBMA chair, inspired 8,000 volunteers to protect, maintain and preserve the US$8-billion facility and transform it into the Philippines‚ premier investment hub, combining economic growth and ecological preservation. By June 1988, the Subic Bay Freeport had over 300 foreign investors, provided 70,000 jobs, and attracted US$3-billion in investments. In 1996, Subic Bay was host to 26 heads of economies, including US President Bill Clinton, for the 4th APEC Leaders‚ Summit. It’s Dick’s unbridled enthusiasm that some people hate but most people love.

Less than two years ago, Dick was appointed tourism secretary – at a time when the Philippines was considered a no-no as a tourist destination by western countries. But Dick, bubbling with enthusiasm, turned things around. Tourism figures increased despite the 9/11 bombings, SARS, and threats of military coups. He gave Intramuros new life and meaning. Last year, the World Tourism Organization endorsed 2002 as Visit Philippines Year. The Philippines won numerous international awards for marketing and promotions. Dick was elected WTO Commissioner for East Asia and the Pacific and as chair of PATA for 2003.

Following him on his campaign trail, this columnist saw tourism in his platform, as well as giving police insurance policies, modernizing agriculture, construction of international airports and seaport facilities.

Dick speaks in a rather too-fast clip. His diction comes from his father, an American born in Subic Bay who chose Philippine citizenship, was elected mayor, and assassinated. His mother then stepped into the picture and became mayor herself. Dick’s wife, Kate, is now mayor of Olongapo, and doing wonders as a chief executive.

These are former "small-town girls" who are working to make the golden anniversary of their school a success. They are Delia Santos Sarmiento, former assistant regional director of revenue of BIR, Reg. VII, and Dr. Florita Santos Maslog, a multi-awarded microbiologist from UPLB-BIOTECH. They are two of successful graduates of the Laguna High School (LHS) Class ’54 which is celebrating its 50th anniversary on May 15 in Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Other LHS to be proud of are Dr. Josefina Suerte Sumaya, president of Trinity College; Dr. Arcelia Alfonso Alejar, one of Ten Outstanding Scientists of the National Research Council of the Philippines; Dr. Floro Resurreccion, outstanding gastroenterologist and professor of medicine in the United States; Dr. Florante Rellosa, outstanding Vet Med who worked at the US Department of Agriculture; Brig. Gen. Rogelio Estacio, outstanding military service awardee, and Napoleon P. Hubilla, a millionaire-farmer. There‚s also Dr. Amelia Guico del Rosario, dean of the graduate school of Union College of Laguna, and Renato Infante, retired elementary school principal.

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