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(Continued from page 24)
He said that the Medical
Profession is totally 180 degrees different from the rest of world. While a
technician/clerk may get promoted all the way up to be the President of a company or
become a General, the doctors, start as a "Generalist or General Practicioner"
or President and work their way down to be the actual technician.
He confessed that during Attorney Alonzo's hospitalization, a question came up as
suggested by one of their cousins in America as to whether they were prolonging life or
prolonging suffering?
This question came up due to the very visible suffering of Atty. Alonzo in the
hospital. Some of the needed medication were very expensive and had to be purchased
daily at a cost of $300 to $500 (exclusive of hospital bills) from Manila, did very little
to improve, if any, his condition and last only hours.
At the time, this was going on for a period of 5 weeks. All of the hard pressed
brothers and sisters, nevertheless voted to keep pressing on, no matter how little hope it
offers, it was hope, anyway. Although it appears selfish, and that efforts to keep
pressing on appears only to benefit the children and not the patient, it was made from
their best guess their father might have decided for himself, plus the emotional appeal
made by Tonette, who left the Philippines since he was only 21 years old and only sees his
father once every 1 to 2 years.
Benjun, the pragmatic of the lot and that he should be, being the eldest, explained that
the suggestion was forwarded not because of the money being spent, as he is the least
contributor at that time due to the fact that his business is falling into hard times
(Ben-jun Alonzo was very affluent during the previous years). As strong as he should
be and that he was, he could not control his tears during this part of his speech.
"We could have been very
rich!"
True, As the Section-Chief-At-Large of the Presidential Anti-Graft Committee (PAGCOM), who
would catch him when they are the catcher that catches the corrupt catcher? His
section investigates, the customs officials, BIR employees, NBI, PC, CIS, etc..
Ben-jun relates what he overhears during private conversations of Attorney Alonzo with his
wife, Rose, about the very lucrative offers he gets just to turn a blind eye.
Attorney Alonzo never wavered. Taking after his father, Anastacio Alonzo, the first
Filipino Postmaster of Calamba, Laguna, was a very honest man that earned him the
nickname, "Honest Tacio". Not taking anything or meaning anything against
honest politicians, he stated that this was the reason Attorney Benjamin Alonzo left
politics only after 1 term.
"Flowers
abound!"
The Alonzo's residence was packed with flowers. From their living room, it swelled
to the carport/garage to the fence outside of their residence. The flowers were from
(in no particular order) Mr. Tom Meneses, Governor Lina, former Governor Luna, Vice
Governor Lazaro, Congressman Chipeco, Mayor Lahara, Calamba Association Northeast USA,
Beth from Seattle, WA, Laguna College of Business Administration, Rotary Club, Far East
Bank and Trust, Municipal Council of Calamba, Tiny Meneses, Mr. Ito Lazaro, Congressman of
3rd district of Laguna, Boy Aquino, Lawyers Association of Laguna, Laguna College of
Business Administration, Integrated Bar Association of Laguna and more (please don't
kill me, I could not remember them all, and all of them are important, but they have the
records which I don't have with me now).
"Judged and
Thank you"
Benjun Alonzo stated, "I guess when you have been a public servant, people will judge
you, not only after your term, but also after your death". The Alonzo family
would like to thank wholeheartedly all those who shared with them during these most
difficult moments and that your kindness will remain with them for a very long, long
time.#
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