119. MY JOURNEY WITH THE SENATOR FROM ISABELA

MY JOURNEY WITH THE SENATOR FROM ISABELA

Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
20 April 2020

 

In the middle of our regular class at the Ateneo Grade School, we were interrupted by the GLC (Grade Level Coordinator) who informed our class adviser that we have a new classmate, a transferee from the United States (US). I did not get his name right since it was a rare one. It was only the family name that remained in my thoughts. At home, I informed my parents that I have a new classmate and tried to utter the name which started with the letter “H” and ended with the surname “Alvarez”. My mom was amazed of the news and informed me that he might be the son of his former fellow activist in Santiago, Isabela by the name of “Heherson Alvarez”. I was informed later that my new classmate’s name is Hexilon and his sister is Herxila, both names derived from the root word “exile” since Heherson and wife PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) founder and Ramon Magsaysay awardee, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, went to self exile in the US upon the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. The unique name “Heherson” was created by his mother and it depicts that Alvarez, being the first born, was a beloved “son” of his father (he) and mother (her).

Alvarez hailed from Santiago, Isabela (now Santiago City) and finished high school with the La Salette missionaries before he took up Liberal Arts and Law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City where he was a champion debater. He rose to national prominence when he won as one of the youngest Constitutional Convention (ConCon) delegate representing Isabela province (with Benjamin C. Reyes, Francisco B. Albano Jr., Celso D. Gangan and Leocadio E. Ignacio) in the November 10, 1970 elections. Alvarez was named one of the ten most outstanding delegates to the 1971 ConCon and was one of the few who refused to sign the Marcos-dictated Constitution. He later evaded a “shoot to kill” order and escaped to the US via Hong Kong using a fake passport and a silly disguise of a woman aboard a cargo ship. On June 26, 1974, Alvarez’ brother Marsman was found dead and his body was mutilated and bungled beyond recognition which led to the heart attack and demise of his father, Marcelo, and the temporary insanity of his mother, Juanita.

In the US, Alvarez together with other opposition leaders continued their struggle to restore democracy in the Philippines. In 1980, they were reunited with Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr. after the latter was allowed to undergo a heart surgery in the US. In 1983, after the death of Ninoy, Alvarez founded the Ninoy Aquino Movement (NAM), the biggest and most organized opposition movement in the US aimed to cut military and economic aid to the dictatorship. For his leadership in the democratic struggle, Alvarez was recognized with the Outstanding Human Rights Award by the Fund for Free Expression in New York. It was also during the period when he finished his Masters in Economics and Public Administration degree from Harvard University.

After the People Power Revolution of 1986, Alvarez was appointed by President Corazon C. Aquino as Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary to the US and upon his return to the country after 14 years of exile, he was appointed as Minister of Agrarian Reform.

On my part, series of changes transpired in our family after the First EDSA Revolt. My mom, Lily Gozum Miano, was appointed Municipal Vice Mayor of Cabatuan, Isabela during the OIC period and Minister Heherson T. Alvarez administered her oath. After over a year, Alvarez who was elected senator of the Republic in the May 11, 1987 senatorial election, administered the oath of my maternal grandfather, former Mayor Rafael M. Gozum as OIC Municipal Mayor of our hometown to oversee the first local voting. It was also during the same period when my dad, Narciso Y. Miano, was appointed City Mayor of Calbayog City, Samar.

Senator Sonny, as he is fondly called by close family members and friends, invited my mom to be his staff in the Philippine Senate and was in charge in the implementation of Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) programs and projects around the country for twelve years. Senator Alvarez was reelected for another six years in the May 11, 1992 national elections and chaired the Committee on Environment in the Philippine Senate for ten years during the 8th, 9th and 10th Congress. He founded the Eathsavers Movement (ESM) which served as his NGO arm on his advocacies on environmental programs, projects and issues. In 1996, I volunteered in the ESM and later became one of its National Youth Coordinator. One day in April of the same year, I was helping prepare the kits to be used for a scheduled seminar the following day when the Senator, who arrived at past two in the morning at his office-residence at Gotesco Twin Towers in Ermita, Manila, saw me at the photocopier hurdling rims of paper. Probably amazed on seeing me working until past midnight, he asked me to report to his chief-of-staff, Atty. Robert Glenn B. Fox. After the seminar, I paid courtesy to Atty. Fox and I was dumbfounded when he gave me my appointment papers as Legislative Staff of the Philippine Senate under the Office of Senator Heherson T. Alvarez. The “Anak ti Amianan” was my first boss and this was my first job in the government at the age of 21. I was tasked to draft correspondence especially to politicians, thank you notes, messages on souvenir programs and the like. I was also assigned as a political affairs officer and at the same time out-of-town staff. Whenever we go on field, I would serve as one of his assistants, preparing everything needed for the trip and he would normally seek some feedbacks concerning his speeches and other issues. He also taught me good English, how to write simple and precise letters and how speeches are delivered.

Senator Alvarez inextendible term paved way for his candidacy as Representative of the 4th congressional district of Isabela. I helped in the initial stages of the campaign travelling around the fourth district except for the town of Dinapigue. By the last week of March 1998, I also filed my candidacy as Municipal Councilor in my hometown Cabatuan, Isabela and won. It was during his stint in the lower house when he filed an impeachment complaint, together with Rep. Ernesto F. Herrera and Rep. Michael T. Defensor, on incumbent President Joseph Estrada which led to the latter’s ouster. After Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was installed as president, Alvarez was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). I once again served under his wings as a political and youth affairs officer. Furthermore, I functioned as one of his backstop during travels outside the metropolis. Moreover, I represented him in speaking engagements and non-DENR meetings. On February 22, 2002, I was tasked to represent Secretary Alvarez during the People’s Organization Summit spearheaded by the RP-German Community Forestry Project-Quirino at the capital town of Cabarroguis in Quirino province and here I met my future wife, Jasmin C. Lapuz who worked on this foreign assisted project under the DENR-Forest Management Bureau and the rest history.

I remained at the DENR after Secretary Alvarez left the department since he previously appointed me at the CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) National Coordinating Office as its No. 2 man. Due to some disharmony with the new lady Secretary, I tendered my resignation and followed Secretary Alvarez to his new position in Malacañang as Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Communities (PA-OFC) with ASec Ricardo M. Angobung of Tumauini, Isabela as my immediate superior. In 2006, we parted ways and went back to Cabatuan and was elected to my previous position as Sangguniang Bayan Member and served up to 2015. The Secretary was later appointed as Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission until 2016.

Through the years, I got acquainted with the good Secretary whenever he went home to Isabela to grace occasions of the province and other public and private engagements. He would ask for my presence or gave me a call whenever he needed something. I was his “staff” in the province so to speak. This continued up to last January when he gave me a ring to arrange for his comfort during the Bambanti Festival 2020.

The great Senator was the best mentor not only to me but also to my co-workers at the Philippine Senate, DENR and at the OPA-OFC. I have never heard him got mad or exploded hysterically. He would always talk to us professionally and fatherly whenever we made mistakes or fell short of his expectations. He gave us anecdotes to ponder so we can realize the shortcomings we had committed. Many of us, staff and youth leaders, learned his style. In my case, I was able to adapt his fashion of delivering a speech; the tone of his voice, the pause and variation to give emphasis on a certain phrase and his unconventional opening and closing of a speech. He made it a point that whenever he uttered a word, everybody listened and it was a guarantee that his listeners will surely look forward for another audience with him.

I also admired the Senator’s principles and bravery. I was witness when he was replaced as DENR chief because he did not bow to the demands of the powers hovering Malacañang. Playing “sipsip” or sycophant was not his style just to be able to clinch to a position or ask for a favor. He was never hesitant in voicing out what he has in mind especially if it will redound to the general welfare of the Filipino people. He was always controversial because no one can stop him from airing his opinions and beliefs. He embraced sensitive issues no normal politician would dare do as it may affect votes or displease the powers in imperial Manila. Lastly, I admired this great son of the north because he was always way ahead of his time. Climate Change and other environmental issues and concerns which were then ignored were his priority. He sponsored legislations three decades ago which is now very significant and vital. His vision and work for a healthy environment which was neglected decades ago is now being appreciated because of the back lash of Mother Nature.

I bid farewell to you my first boss in public service. Your contribution to humanity is beyond compare. From an ordinary citizen of Isabela, you rose to become the champion of the environment not only here in the Philippines but worldwide. The present generation may have little knowledge on your role in nation building, but rest assured that your loyal soldiers who you have trained through the years will continue to write and propagate your advocacies for a clean and safe environment. You are indeed a noble Filipino patriot who shined in times of both danger and peace. Thank you for your service to our country, my mentor, Mr. Environment, Senator HEHERSON TURINGAN ALVAREZ.