-74 Ei LOW MARCH 1997 ) 34 The Glow March 1997 different destinations come and go. At a distance, near the main entrance of the airport terminal building, I saw a company of people, young and old, with placards displaying "Welcomes" to their loved ones. In the crowd of welcomers, I immediately recognized the presence of Mayor Baldeviso and his party who included some of my former classmates, namely Vice Mayor Reiza Velarde and councilors Meriam Canilla, Hon. Ma. Germs Artieda, Hon. Ernie Rochar, Hon. Robelinda Regodon, Hon. Esidrilita Huesca, Hon. Jonalyn Manota, Hon. Ritchel Gaytero and Hon. Meriam Gatera. Everybody seemed to be very happy in welcoming "Balik bayan" relatives and friends at the airport. Added attraction to the glee of visitors was a playing brass band of the Cabatuan State University conducted by my former classmate Prof. Glenda Cuello. After a warm exchanging of pleasantries, Mayor Baldeviso and I rode his blue Merzedes Benz car and left the airport's terminal. As I looked around through the windshields of the car, I saw different buildings, big and small." These buildings are magnificent," I commented to Mayor Beldeviso. He just smiled at me, and then I asked "Where are we going now?" Mayor Baldeviso then responded "To Cabatuan Golf and Country,Club, but first, we must pass by the on going construction of the Provincial Capitol of Iloilo at Barangay Gines Patag." When our car reached Tabucan, it turned left going up-hill to the direction of Pamul-ogan Hill. I pondered for a moment and later on made an inquiry of our destination. But Mayor Baldeviso was quick to tell me that we will ride on a cable car from the top of the hill to the Golf and country club. "What? to ride on a cable car." I asked curiously, "Who is this man who can afford to gamble his money in this business?" Mayor Baldeviso countered quickly, "Noel, just wait and see, we will meet the man uphill." The road going uphill is paved and winding. To my great surprise, I saw Pamul-ogan Hill in a different shape. On the top of the hill stood one big, white cross. At the foot of the cross stood one short man with a disarming smile. After he recognized us, he then extended his warm hands. Later I recognized him, my fellow classmate, Engr. Kenneth Demetrios Gil, the Asst. General manager of Cable car London Company. While enjoing the alluring beauty of the Cabatuan Landscape seen over at the top of the hill, I saw the rows and rows of matured mahogany trees. According to Mayor Baldeviso, the project was a' brainchild of Engr. Gerard Caneo, our former classmate. He is presently the Regional Director of DENR, Western Visayas. As our service cable car glided smoothly and continuously, we saw in a distance, the verdant banana plantation owned by a former classmate, and now a businesswoman, Ms Brenda Arcenas. We also passed the on going construction of the Regional Hospital of Cabatuan. The Regional Director to be is Dr. Allan Madarico, a fellow in surgery and the Asst. Regional Director is Dr. Juvi Caballero, an eye surgeon. As our cable car glided farther and farther, we saw the tremendous improvement in our dear hometown. When I turned my face to the right, using my binaculars, I saw the verdant fields surrounding the new capitol site of the province of Iloilo. As our cable car slowly moved towards the terminal, I saw a tall dark and handsome fellow waiving his hand at us. He is Iloilo governor Oliver Pallada. Oliver is a native of Barangay Gines Patag. I guessed it was providential that he being a native of the place has be the chance to govern the province of Iloilo. While we were having a cordial conversation with Gov. Oliver Pallada in his office, the Vice Governor of the province of Iloilo came in to greet us. He is Vice Gov. Neil Puga, my distant relative and a classmate in high school. From the provincial capitol, Mayor Baldeviso and I proceeded to the Cabatuan Golf and Country Club. The golf area is no less than a hundred hectares and is developed by an Australian Investor. -? After we have alighted from the cable car, two beautiful ladies in their sparkling gala uniforms, welcomed us. Surprisingly, however, they were my former batchmates, Miss Irene Capilefio and Miss Dannylin Joy Ramos." Terrific, they don't grow old and they are still single." I chuckled. Inside a big and well-furnished club house, there were many visitors, spending plenty of dollars for their comforts. Mayor Baldeviso and I proceeded to a dine-in eatery overlooking the panoramic view of the club. A minute later somebody touched my shoulders and I saw a dashing middle-aged man. He stood behind me with amiable smile. I immediately recognized him as Engr. Alfie Labanero, my