|
A NOBLE ALONZO
Attorney Benjamin Alzona Alonzo, the most illustrious among the contemporary
Alonzo's. Youngest brother of Socorro and son of Anastacio. The Alonzo who put
the Alonzo's back in the map of Calamba, Laguna. He passed the bar with an average
of 86.7 that puts him in the league as a 16th bar placer. As a town councilor, he was a
maverick, unafraid to stand against the tide as long as he believes what he stands for is
just, honest and right for all people. Attorney Benjamin Alonzo was the Senior Partner of Alonzo, Alonzo and Associates Law Firm located at Calamba
Professionals' Center, a former President of the Rotary Club of Calamba-J.P. Rizal, former
President of Election Officers of Laguna (ERCAL). He also served as a President of the
Canossa Academy Family Education Council, former President of Parents Association, Laguna
Institute, former member, Calamba Lions Club, former Section-Chief-At-Large, Presidential
Anti-Graft Committee, former professor of Law, former Municipal Councilor of the
Municipality of Calamba, Laguna, former Legal counsel, Federation of Free Farmers,
Defender of the Poor and the Oppressed, a nationalist, grandnephew of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a
loving husband, a great father.
He married Rose Oņa Matanguihan, a daughter of his mother's friend from Batangas, settled
in Calamba where they raised 4 children, all of whom are college graduates. Taking after
his great grandfather, Dr. Jose Rizal, he had a Muslim spouse named Josefina (his Muslim
adopted name "Amansali Alonzo"), having been adopted by the Muslim faith
and thereafter raised 2 more children, all of whom are also college graduates. His
children are: Benjamin Alonzo, Jr., graduated 8th place from De La Salle College
(Now De La Salle University); Antonio Alonzo, graduated with honors from Corpus Christi
University (Now Texas A& M University at Corpus Christi), Fernando Alonzo, graduated
with honors (Philosophy) from University of the Philippines and from Ateneo de Manila
University (Law); Marian Alonzo, graduated from Laguna College of Business Administration,
Yasmin Alonzo, graduated with honors from University of the Philippines, Los Baņos and
finally, Ybramin Alonzo, graduated from Letran College.
He is known for his advocacy of "FILIPINOS ARE SECOND TO NONE".
A true nationalist who instilled in his children pride, honor, courage, self respect.
independence and proper decorum in all places at all times. What is remarkable is
that he chose to defend the Federation of Free Farmers, a less lucrative client than the
Yulo Sugar Mills Corporation during at which time he had a choice. Had refused
offers of position as a judge but cited financial reasons for refusing so. He also had
given shelter, supported and fed a family of 18 in his own house in del Pilar, Calamba,
Laguna, Philippines to live with his family for free for all five months until they get
situated, in order to save this family from a tyrannical and slave like conditions in a
hacienda in Bicol Region. He had taken men accused of murder, in the same household
to live with his family all for free when these men's lives where threatened. by the
plaintiff.
Even though he was a former professor/employee of Laguna Institute, he chose to
represent for free the Parents Association of Laguna Institute against the stockholders of
the establishment in a fight against raising the tuition for all students (1971). During a
meeting for Parents and Teachers as called by the Administration of the school to elect a
"Parents-Teachers Association Officers", designed to ratify or disapprove the
tuition raising, he vehemently protested, armed with two paper bags full of
membership sheets and signatures of parents of students of the school, stating that a
"PTA" could be established only and ONLY if there is not an existing Parents
Association. He also added that most of the presiding officers there posing as parents
were also employees of the school and therefore loyalty is questioned.. He led the
walk out of the affair where quite a number of people followed. The meeting was not
completed and terminated early. Laguna Institute was not able to raise the
tuition fee that year and for several succeeding years. As a Municipal Councilor, he
had sponsored city ordinances that, "...a lot of Calambeņos profited, still
profiting, and will still profit in the future…" according to the current Mayor
Severino Lahara of Calamba, Laguna, Philippines.
Now, he is my father. With a father like that, how could we, his children be any
different? The only hope I could do is pray that at least I would be close to what
he had achieved. But when you see us fly high, you will know, who the "wind
beneath our wings" is. More stories on other page.
|
|
