The never were

JUST like the martyred Ninoy Aquino before him, Raul Roco – it was so lamented – was the best president the Philippines never had.
It seems like every field of endeavor, politics primarily, is peopled with never weres. Meaning those who could have made a hell – or a heaven, more likely – of a difference, but for some twists of fate or turns of destiny did not.
The erudite Estelito Patdu Mendoza would have been easily the best senator of the country, law being the very essence of, well, his being.
Bar topnotcher Lorenzo “Lolong” Timbol could have been the best elected mayor Angeles City ever had or Pampanga’s best representation at the Batasang Pambansa.
Gentleman Abong Tayag would have given Lolong a run for his law books on the best-mayor-Angeles-never-had title
The charismatic Cicero J. Punzalan would have made the best elected governor of Pampanga, the best congressman of the third district, the best re-elected vice governor of Pampanga, the best vice mayor of San Fernando.
The regal Cielo Macapagal-Salgado without doubt would have been a shoo-in too as best governor of Pampanga. Ditto the late Virgilio “Baby” Sanchez who could also have made a best City of San Fernando vice mayor, circa 2004.
Andrea Dizon Domingo, the brilliant immigration commissioner and one-time congresswoman, would have most certainly made best City of San Fernando mayor. Didi’s son, Doc Eric, best third district congressman.
Of course, perennial vice mayor Ely “Tiger” Lagman could have contested Aling Didi’s best mayor title, being a breath away from the mayorship for the longest of time.
Sometimes, no, oftentimes, things that happened just were not meant for some people. Lost opportunities and untapped potentials being as much integral in economics as in politics.
Alas, poor Don Pepito, we can only find solace in that elegy of Thomas Gray: “Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed cave of ocean bear: Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness in the desert air.”
Indeed, Atty. Arlene Buan, as one forgotten poet wrote: “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these ‘it might have been’.”
Might have beens. Never weres. Still, hope springs eternal. Ang umaayaw ay hindi nagwawagi. Ang nagwawagi ay hindi umaayaw. So said Manuel Uy, he of the charity sweepstakes ticket of yore.
Thus, No Retreat, No Surrender for Anthony Dee. No matter Boking Morales’ unprecedented, unbelievable, unmistakable, four consecutive terms in the town of Mabalacat.
Thus, Dinan Piñon Labung trying again to be third district congressman. This time against the galloping Dong Gonzales. This time – and again – in vain?
No matter, the supreme optimists that they are, for the also-rans the best is ever yet to come.