Asturias vice mayor succumbs to cancer

CEBU, Philippines — Former Asturias, Cebu mayor and incumbent vice mayor Alan Adlawan passed away yesterday dawn after losing his battle with cancer. He was 56.

Adlawan succumbed to lung cancer at 2 a.m. at a private hospital in Cebu City, where he was admitted Monday. He spent his last moments surrounded by his family.

According to Mayor Jose Antonio Pintor, Adlawan was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in June 2017.

“Mao to nga nagpatambal na. Ang lung cancer niya right ra wala ang wala,” Pintor said.

Adlawan underwent eight sessions of chemotherapy and radiation last year. He went through another four chemotherapy sessions after two lumps were discovered inside his stomach. He had his last treatment in January this year.

“Paghuman sa walo niadto siya sa Manila para tan-aw sa bed scanner, sos nakita man sa tiyan niya nga naay laing duha ka bugon. So mao to gibalik sya og chemo, upat ka session unya didto naluya na sya og chemo,” Pintor said.

Pintor said Adlawan was a big loss to the town, saying the latter was instrumental in making Asturias a progressive and livable municipality.

Although they are not allies, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said she was saddened by Adlawan’s death.

“Sa kamatayon wala na ang partido,” she said.

Cebu Third District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia was also saddened by the passing of her “loyal friend.”

"I have lost a very dear, true, and loyal friend," Garcia said in an interview with the press.

Adlawan was affiliated with One Cebu Party, which was founded by Garcia. His town also belongs to Garcia’s congressional district.

The third legislative district is composed of the municipalities of Pinamungahan, Balamban, Barili, Tuburan, Asturias, Aloguinsan, and the city of Toledo.

Garcia said Adlawan’s work and legacy will live on forever.

 "We have just lost a great servant leader of Asturias. He has left a legacy that many Asturianons will never forget," said Garcia, who visited the mayor at the hospital the other day.

The congresswoman said Adlawan contributed so much for the town’s development, especially in the fields of agriculture and health.

She said Adlawan helped in uplifting the lives of his constituents by providing them livelihood and skills training opportunities.

Adlawan’s first political stint started in 2001 when he got elected as councilor in Balamban town.

In 2007, he ran for the mayoral post of Asturias and won. He served three terms as town mayor.

In 2016 elections, Adlawan ran and won as vice mayor. He was the running mate of Pintor. —KBQ (FREEMAN)