A WOW b-day celebration

Olongapo City - Senator Richard Gordon celebrated his 60th birthday here at the Olongapo Convention Center with about two thousand visitors in attendance.

This after his wife, Kate Gordon threw a surprise party the night before at a Kamayan Restaurant in Makati. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was there to greet the celebrant. Senators, Cabinet Secretaries, Generals, Ambassadors, Taipans, close family members and friends were there for the traditional “asalto”

But the one the Senator is excited to attend is his celebration in his native city. The street leading to the convention center was filled with well-wishers when he arrived shortly before 3pm. Olongapo’s love for its famous son, and the son’s unwavering love for Olongapo is unmistakably demonstrated in his 30-minute walk through the bursting gathering, shaking hands, embracing emotionally and waving to the cheering crowd.

Sa kanyang mensahe, pinarangalan ni Senator Gordon ang magigiting na mamamayan ng Olongapo lalo na ang mga mahihirap. Nakatuon ang kanyang mensahe sa paggising ng tunay na pagkatao ng mga taga Olongapo.

He realized on his 60th birthday that his whole life had been dedicated to the proposition:

“What this Country needs
is not just a change OF men,
but a change IN men.”

Binanggit nya ang mga slogan na kinilala bilang basehan ng prinsipyo at pinagmumulan ng lakas ng mamamayang Olongapo.

Duty, Dignity, Determination
Bawal ang Tamad sa Olongapo
Do It the Olongapo Way

Sinabi pa nyang tuwing may magtatanong kung saan nanggagaling ang kanyang “Never Say Die” attitude, Will Power, at Passionate Drive to accomplish even insurmountable tasks, Senator Gordon would always answer: “My energy is made in Olongapo!”

Ipinakilala ang kanyang bagong proyektong may katawagang:

LavEx – Labandera Express kung saan magtatayo ng livelihood projects upang ang mga labahan at iba pang gawain sa hotels ay tutugonan ng mga nagkakaisang mamamayan. He envisions that this will wash poverty away.

FudEx – Food Express kung saan gagamitin ang teknologiya na ginagamit ng mga cargo forwarding company to keep track of fruits and vegetables coming from provinces to ensure that such will arrive fresh and eliminate spoilage/wastage due to inefficient handling.

He also announced that ten millions pesos from his fund had already been set aside for livelihood programs in Olongapo City.

Pinaalala nya ang mahabang samahan ng mamamayang Olongapo: “ TAYO ang tumulong sa sarili natin!” referring to Pinatubo eruption and the bases pull-out.

Ang pagiging makabayan: “Unahin ang Bayan at di ang sarili!”

Sa kanyang pagtatapos: “The best is yet to come!”