CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — The Bulacan provincial government on Saturday named its newly-constructed Livelihood Training Center as Gat Blas F. Ople Sentro ng Kabataan, Kaalaman at Hanapbuhay.
The initiative was held as the province celebrated Ople’s 91st birth anniversary in a simple ceremony held in front of the provincial capitol building here.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando signed a resolution naming the new center.
Alvarado also said that the provincial library would soon have a specific section where the works of Ka Blas would be put on display to inspire Bulakenyo youths.
Board Member Felix Ople of the 1st District of Bulacan and son of Ka Blas thanked the provincial government for honoring his father with the annual celebration of his birthday.
Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar, who served as guest of honor in the celebration with the theme, “Gat Blas F. Ople: Dakilang Lingkod Bayan, Inspirasyon ng Mamamayan”, expressed her belief that the talent and intelligence of Filipinos could be used to uplift the economy and support the interests of overseas Filipino workers.
“Panahon na upang makilala ang Pilipinas bilang frontrunner sa industriya ng turismo at agrikultura. Iyan ang pangarap para sa atin ni Ka Blas F. Ople at iyan din ang pangarap nating lahat (It is high time for the Philippines to be known as a frontrunner in the tourism and agriculture industries. This was Ka Blas Ople’s dream for us and our dream, as well),” Villar said.
Ka Blas was a journalist and politician who held several ranking positions in the executive and legislative branches of the Philippine government, including as Senate President from 1999 to 2000. He also served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2002 until his death in 2003.
He fathered the National Labor Relations Commission and National Manpower and Youth Council.
He was born on Feb. 3, 1927 in Hagonoy, Bulacan to Felix Antonio Ople and Segundina Fajardo. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
