Former Carmen mayor Villamor, 72, dies

CEBU - Former Carmen town mayor Virginio “Benyong” Villamor, 72, died last Thursday night of brain cancer.

The sad news broke out more than four months after he relinquished his post to Vice Mayor Sonia Pua in August due to his failing health.

Pua told The FREEMAN yesterday that Virginio died at around 9:40 p.m. while he was being attended by his wife Cora and members of his family at their rest house in Sitio Bantique, barangay Luyang, Carmen.

After she was informed of the incident, Pua said she immediately extended her condolence to the Villamor family through the former mayor’s son and Vice Mayor Martin Gerard Villamor.

The body of the former mayor is scheduled to be brought at the municipal hall this coming December 30. The family is still to announce the official date of the interment.

Virginio was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago.

Vice Mayor Villamor said that the doctor who checked on his father’s condition earlier said that Virginio may only have six months to live.

But miraculously, the vice mayor said his father survived for another 20 months until he died last Thursday.

During the turn-over ceremony last August attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the former mayor in a tape recorded speech said he takes great pride in “what we (Carmen residents) have accomplished together.”

“We have done many good things together but the best legacy that I leave all of you, is the way I have lived my life. As a mayor, I have tried to be an honest and dedicated leader,” said the former mayor in his farewell message.

Villamor first served as mayor in 1992 and finished his term in 2001. He sought the mayor’s post again during the 2004 and 2007 elections and won. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)