Belmonte extols Quezon's legacy

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte jr said yesterday that Quezon City will continue to draw strength and inspiration from President Manuel Quezon’s lesson of transformation to help spread the gains and development to the people, particularly among the poor as enunciated by the late President’s special justice philosophy.

In a speech during the commemoration of Quezon’s 131st birth anniversary, Belmonte said the city is very proud to continue Quezon’s legacy and have it enriched by the ideals of the present generation to allow the creation of bigger aspirations for Quezon City and its residents.

“Quezon City owed so much from President Quezon not just its name. He gave Quezon City a very well planned beginning, he said. He said if Quezon was alive today he would probably be admiring Quezon City’s distinction as a very much transformed and progressive city, the way he has envisioned it to be.

Belmonte who was the guest of honor, led yesterday national and local officials in the commemoration of the 131st birth anniversary of Quezon and “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa” at the Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Shrine, Elliptical Road in Quezon City.

Isa Marie Nieto Avanceña, a granddaughter of Quezon and the only surviving daughter of Zenaida Quezon Avanceña expressed her gratitude to the Filipino people for continuing to keep the spirit of her “lolo” alive, who she considers a source of great pride for all Filipinos.

 “This is a celebration of hope,” she said.

Speaking for the Quezon family, Nieto described the occasion as a reminder for Filipinos to determine which political direction of the country should be taken. She was optimistic that there will be more Filipinos, the likes of Quezon, Aguinaldo, Rizal, Magsaysay, Cory and Ninoy Aquino to rise and become leaders on their own.

Yesterday was a special working holiday throughout the country and a special non-working holiday in the provinces of Quezon, Aurora and in Quezon City as provided for by RA 6741.     – Perseus Echeminada