SAN FERNANDO CITY — It was another homecoming for businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the hometown boy from Apalit who rose to become one of the country’s top business executives and money-makers.

As guest of honor and speaker at the giving out last Sunday of the year’s Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards in various fields, Pangilinan was swept into a festive program that showcased the rich cultural heritage of his provincemates.

The MOKA rites at the convention center here (named after the late Gov. Bren Z. Guiao) were part of the celebration this month of the 440^th founding anniversary of Pampanga, one of only three mega-provinces that composed Luzon early in the Spanish colonial period.

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MOKA AWARDEES: Awarded in the program led by Gov. Lilia G. Pineda and Vice. Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao were:

Claudio S. Tayag (arts), Nestor M. Garcia (agriculture), Venancio Q. Samson (culture), Imelda P. Macaspac (education), Carmelo F. Lazatin (government service), Cesar L. Villanueva (judicial service), Keith Ernald L. Singian (law enforcement), Alfredo M. de la Rosa (mass media), Manuel M. Cunanan Sr. (science and technology), Teresita P. Dungao (social services) and Diomari Ivan L. Tayag (sports) .

Dr. Jean-Christophe Gaillard, a geographer from France and a visiting professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, was adopted as an honorary Kapampangan. He acknowledged the honor in flawless Kapampangan.

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MINDSET CHANGE: “As we celebrate our 440^th year,” Panglinan said, “it is the right time for business and government leaders of this proud and great Pampanga to work together to make life better for Kapampangans.”

He said, “You have a supportive provincial government, an educational system that can develop and nourish many managers and entrepreneurs, and the wealth of 440 years’ history.

“But you do need the software of development – a change in mindset, a change in values and beliefs which can provide the impetus for change.”

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EDUCATION: Pangilinan, who runs many of the country’s biggest companies (e.g. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Manila Electric Co., Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Philex Mining Corp.), mentioned his plans for his province in five areas: education, power, water, hospitals and an international airport.

“Education has always been a pillar of our corporate social responsibility,” he said, noting that “Pampanga’s six universities, 19 tertiary schools, and 19 primary and secondary schools ensure a steady supply of skilled workers, future managers and business leaders.”

He added: “As a vibrant educational center, Pampanga has a great opportunity to be the center for call centers and PBOs – as well become the hub for information technology for Central Luzon – much like Chenai and Bangalore in India, and Silicon Valley in California.”

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CLARK GATEWAY: He disclosed plans for a Public-Private Partnership for tapping the Pampanga River as a bulk water source. “We would help improve and expand Pampanga’s water distribution system and build an alternative to deep wells which are not environmentally friendly,” he said.

Seeing the province emerging as a medical hub in Central Luzon, he promised to invest in tertiary hospitals in Pampanga to improve medical services.

Pangilinan underscored Clark Field’s being the alternative international aviation gateway, considering that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City is reaching its saturation level in about three years.

Clark will need improved facilities and avionics as well as an expansion of its terminals. When made the primary gateway, it will need an express train to transport goods and people between Clark and Manila quickly. “We stand ready to support this important project,” he said.

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NOSTALGIA: The 65-year-old Pangilinan was obviously happy coming back home. Turning nostalgic, he recalled:

“My grandfather Benito was born in Apalit. He did not finish college. Despite this, he was hired by the American colonial provincial government to teach the new American curriculum. He rose from the ranks as a teacher in Pampanga and Tarlac, to become the national superintendent of public schools, and eventually Secretary of Education under President Elpidio Quirino – the first education secretary who lacked formal education.

“My lola Florencia also came from Apalit. She had the great Pampangueña traits of being generously hospitable, a great cook, a loving but strong housewife. Because Benito and Florencia had 13 children and lived on government salary, my lola had to manage the family purse so that every child had an education.

“I was close to Apung Esyang – having enjoyed the hot tsokolate made by Pampanga batirol, some pamangan calulu like sabo talulung, tukud banwa, paksing dimonyus. Forty years ago, I gave to my lola my first monthly salary of P1,000 from my first job.

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THIRD GENERATION: “My father Doming was also an Apaliteño. He started as a palsunero at the Philippine National Bank, and retired as senior vice president after 35 years of service. After his retirement from PNB, he became president of Traders Royal Bank.

“I will always remember him as a fastidious dresser, as being very particular about his food. Even if our family meals were modest, soup to start was always a must (sabo mapali), ampong pagmayumu had to be served to end every meal even if dessert were as simple as a banana or a bottle of Coke.

“So I represent the third generation, cut from the same Pampangueño fabric. My boyhood memories of Pampanga relate particularly to Apalit – especially the libad fluvial procession on Pampanga River on the feast day of Apung Iru; the lubenas lantern festival of San Fernando, the mal a aldo and biyernes santuwhen Catholic rituals contrasted with the raw, bloody folk practices in the streets – deng magdarame.