“The impeachment case against Vice President Duterte is fast beginning to be like a teleserye”
ON VALENTINE’S Day, I received a letter-gift from Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson, brother of my close friend, Chavit Singson.
It read:
“ Dear Atty. Jurado:
“Naimbag nga aldaw!
“The Father Jose Burgos Award was established to honor individuals whose dedication, excellence, and service have significantly contributed to the growth and progress of Ilocos Sur. Inspired by the courage and patriotism of Father Jose Burgos, the award recognizes those who, like him, have devoted themselves in uplifting our people and province.
“As a past recipient of this award, your achievements continue to inspire generations of Ilocos Surians. It is with great honor that I invite you to the Pammadayaw: Father Jose Burgos Award 2025, a part of the Ilocos Sur Festival on 14 Feb. 2025, 9:00 AM at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Kindly come in Barong Tagalog as we pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Ilocano leadership and service.
“Beyond recognizing this year’s honorees, this event is a homecoming for the province’s most esteemed sons and daughters — a time to reconnect, reflect on our collective contributions, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
“Dios unay ti agngina!
“Respectfully,
“Jeremias ‘Jerry’ C. Singson
“Governor of Ilocos Sur”
In the first place, I could not have made it from Manila to Ilocos, not at my age of 97 years. It would have meant an eight-hour ride by car.
In any case, I commissioned my nephew Mauro Jurado, son of my first cousin, Antonio “Toning” Jurado in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, to attend that occasion on my behalf. And thanks a lot from the bottom of my heart, Governor Singson.
While I was born in Dolores town in Abra, now part of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, I have always considered myself, considering my roots, as a native of Ilocos Sur: Magsingal where my parents were from — my father Emiliano Cortes Jurado Sr. and my mother Margarita Pacis Jurado.
I have a faint recollection of receiving that award that Governor Singson mentioned, the “Father Burgos Award” but I have always considered it as a very precious award among the many awards I have received in my over seven decades as a journalist. Again, my eternal thanks to Governor Singson.
Although I have lived in Metro Manila for the best part of my life, I have always been proud of my roots in Magsingal, and of being a Jurado.
In fact, the Jurados had a reunion last Feb. 22, 2025. A million thanks to my Jurado nephews and nieces for the resounding success.
In the meantime, the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte is fast beginning to be like a teleserye. Just how it will end depends on the next Senate which will try the VP’s impeachment case.
Despite all the attempts of the Duterte lawyers and supporters to distract the people’s attention from the results of the Senate trial, as I said from the very beginning, the Senate’s decision whether to convict the VP or not will ultimately be a political decision, Santa Banana!
Meanwhile, the supporters of Ninoy and Cory Aquino mark the 30th Anniversary of “EDSA Revolution” or the “Spirit of EDSA” today. They call it the “People Power Revolution” led by supposedly democratic Cory Aquino.
Santa Banana, how can we call it “People Power Revolution” when only over half a million people, composed only of nuns, priests and followers of Cory Aquino, were there at EDSA?
The truth of the matter, the so-called “People Power Revolution” was a propaganda of the followers of Cory Aquino, mostly by the western press.
Historians question the so-called “People Power Revolution” and the “Spirit of EDSA” because, as I said, only over half a million people composed of mostly civil society were there at EDSA.
I question the call of some Metro Manila schools and universities to suspend classes to mark the spirit of EDSA where, as I said, Santa Banana, there were only over half a million people at EDSA.