The demise of a man is the dawn of his legacy. The physical body ends but the influence endures. Last Monday, November 17, 2014 was the last day to see the remains of a man whose contribution to the enormous change of Mandaue City to what it is today cannot be understated. After years of battling from prostate cancer, he has now joined his Creator.
The patriarch of the Ouano political family was known for his unfussy, down-to-earth leadership and propensity to crack a joke, wielded deep political influence in Mandaue in a career that started with his elections as municipal councilor in 1956. A charismatic mayor who served the city with a great number of years, he was "Pedong" to his peers and friends and was endearingly called by his followers as "Ingko Pedong."
He is survived by his wife Loleng Zambo Ouano. After the requiem mass, his wife, gasping for breath, expressed her profound gratitude to the people who were behind her husband's leadership for decades.
My octogenarian mother, Remedios "Mediong" Cabatingan-Rabago, recalled Ingko Pedong's style of leadership as someone whose heart is very close to the masses. Anything that would benefit the poor, for him, there were no ifs and buts. Until his death, he remained grounded for the masses as his remains were laid in the family's home, viewed by a huge crowd, people from all walks of life to pay their final respects. And from the church, he was brought to the cemetery with the people carrying his casket.
My husband's personal encounter with Pedong's son and granddaughter has made him notice that Pedong's gift of finding a lighter side to generally loaded topics has been fittingly followed by his son Teddy, and the apparent humility by his granddaughter "Lollipop." These values have been shown when together, they went to Benedicto College to launch a scholarship program dubbed as "Edukasyon Mo, Pangandoy Ko," for deserving college students. Just like Ingko Pedong who answered with jokes even the harsh criticisms against him, Teddy when asked by media about highly politicized issues provided answers, peppered with jokes. And his daughter asked the media for their indulgence for his father's style of answering – a daughter's sort of concern – and likewise a show of humility.
To show gratitude and respect to him and his family, my husband attended the requiem mass at the Saint Joseph's Church – interspersed with politicians. Present were former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr., Governor Hilario Davide III, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, City Mayor Jonas Cortes and the members of the City Council. And with some obvious political plans in the offing, this occasion has showed the statesman's influence to amass these people and to set aside their plans temporarily. Indeed, it is Pedong's wish for the city's political leaders to reconcile and unite.
Looking back, as a great sign of humility, the elder Ouano once lost an elections by the slimmest of margins: by only one vote but he immediately conceded defeat as if nothing happened. Pedong's advice to his grandson, Jonkie, when he lost in the elections, is to wait for the next elections because politics in Mandaue, or for that matter, in the whole country, hardly takes a vacation. Mayor Jonas Cortes, indeed, has put it right when he said during the burial, "The late Ingko Pedong was the symbol of humility."
Ingko Pedong's colorful political life enabled him to serve Mandauehanons with his penchant for his dedication to the ideals of public service. His straightforward belief in his down-to-earth sincerity in helping the poor residents of the city to attain improvement has captured a soft spot in their hearts that made them to idolize him even when he was no longer in the city hall.
We run to an ingko for advice, for help, for guidance, for uncompromised love. Pedong was an ingko to Mandauehanons. On his loss, his name Ingko Pedong is carved on hearts, not on tombstones.