Thank You, Mrs. Locsin

Maraming Salamat po, Mrs. Locsin. To us who know your generous heart to Puerto Galera and its people, we sincerely say, Thank You.

No other life has had such an impact to Puerto Galera and to the future of its 40,000 inhabitants than Mrs. Cecilia Yulo Locsin. She has given so much that it all seems irrational especially when an unselfish deed is second-guessed and besmirched as an incredible ploy to gain more influence, more power.

So many have she given, yet never did she sought recognition. Her philanthropy knows no boundaries in this part of the world. All of us and future generations benefit from her righteous, unbelievable legacy.

Allow this writer to name some saintly acts that we deign not forget.

Mrs. Locsin has been at the forefront of numerous, persistent and stubbornly campaigns to preserve the marine ecosystem and natural allure of Puerto Galera. She bought more than half of the lands bordering the Bay, including 90 percent of San Antonio Island, with the aim of protecting and preserving the Bay from wanton destruction of Nature. The accolades that we now boast, as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, we owe distinctly to Mrs. Locsin. She refused to develop any of her prime real estate properties, refusing billions of pesos in potential tourism revenues all for the sake of safeguarding God’s bountiful gifts to the people of Puerto Galera and to the world. Salamat po, Mrs. Locsin, kung hindi dahil sa inyo ay matagal ng sira ang ipinagmamalaki naming Puerto Galera Bay.

Mrs. Locsin gave educational assistance grants to thousands of Puerto Galera students since the early 80s and up to now. In fact, there were instances when the child of a Locsin scholar also became a Locsin scholar. The Locsins believe rightly that an educated, enlightened citizenry will make better decisions for the future of Puerto Galera.

Mrs. Locsin also financed key public infrastructure projects like the Municipal Hall and the Balatero Pier. She also funded the Misereor Clinic for the medical needs of indigents especially the Mangyans.

There are hundreds more charitable deeds which will forever entrenched the Locsins at the top of the list of the most loved most benevolent, most respected families in Puerto Galera.

However, there are some who would question Mrs. Locsin’s place in the history of Puerto Galera. In her avid desire to safeguard the environment, she did supported politicians who eventually became elected public officials. But never did she impose her will upon them; she made request and sometimes the request is granted and sometimes not granted. She made bitter enemies especially from the camps of those that she did not support. All her noble intentions would be maligned and slandered. But then, time passes by and she would be proven correct, and her detractors would simply fade away.

Now, Madame Locsin, please hear from us who are not politicians, who appreciates what you did and what you are doing, who you have helped although we are not your kinsmen, who once played in your backyard during Easter Sunday, who was cured by the medicine you gave, who marvel at the design of the Municipal Hall, who know the true intent of the Balatero pier, who supports your environmental projects, who believes in your philanthropy, who cries everytime your name is slandered, who shares your vision for the future, who relish the beauty of nature – HEAR FROM US – who are eternally, sincerely grateful: MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT PO, MRS. CECILIA YULO LOCSIN.