Remembering her first (and last) dance with dad
MAYOR’S DAUGHTER GRIEVES
URBIZTONDO—Understandably so, the family of the slain mayor here, Ernesto Balolong Jr., declined requests for a media interview.
But on social media, the only daughter of the mayor, Zarena Balolong, poured out her grief.
“Ang sama nila Papa. Sobra Pa. Sobra,” the 16-year old Zarena wrote on her Facebook account.
She reminisced fond memories of her dad, particularly her first and what would turn out to be her last dance with him during her recent school prom.
Zarena in her first and what would turn out to be her last dance with her father during her school prom. (Photo taken from Zarena’s Facebook account)
She said she was the happiest girl at that moment and remembered how her dad looked at her “in such a way as if I was the most beautiful at that night”.
Zarena also narrated that despite her dad’s busy schedule, he managed to come on time during her prom and patiently waited until the program ended.
She said she is so proud of the fortitude of her father, whom she described as a “man of steel” and assured him that they in the family would continue his dreams.
Balolong had four pending administrative cases filed against him at the provincial board and was the subject of two raids by authorities, one by the police and another by a composite team of the National Bureau of Investigation, for possessing assorted firearms. But all the 21 firearms seized from his residence, piggery and farm houses were found to be licensed. No criminal case was filed against him.
WEDDING
Meanwhile, the wedding of the mayor’s son, Councilor Volter Balolong, to Angela Arce, carried on as scheduled on June 8, the day after the murder, at the St. Pius V Parish here.
It was supposed to be a double event with the mayor and his wife simultaneously celebrating their silver wedding anniversary and their son’s marriage.
Volter said it was his father’s wish that he gets married so they proceeded with it as planned despite the gruesome killing.
Everyone though, including the bride and the groom, were in casual clothes instead of the grand and formal attires in traditional Filipino weddings.
More than a hundred close family and friends, including the media, policemen and an entourage from Vice President Jejomar Binay with former 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco and Binmaley Mayor Simplicio Rosario witnessed the wedding.—Tita Roces
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