Old man Yaranon

IN 2004, it was unlikely for an old man to win, but lo and behold, old man Yaranon won, beating incumbent Bernie Vergara... I was in awe.

When everyone thought he was going to retire, he won, backed by the people who believed in him and strong enough to topple the strongest of political rivals, it was what success stories were made of.

He was often in national TV for his being mayor at his age, networks got a kick following him around jogging, before the fad of the Manny Pacquiao training sessions were the “in” thing, Yaranon running around was considered top news.

I am still in awe of the man I regarded with reverence, both for his age and his unrelenting resolve to get a pay parking company out of the city, at all cost, mostly at his expense.

He never quit even if the odds were against him, most of the time it was, but he didn’t care, he had nothing to lose, which gave him spunk.

He was a reporter’s dream to interview as Yaranon knew how to answer questions, with the ease of a pro, being from the judiciary then city council, he was in his element. He had the juicy quotes to tell, coined by him, delivered with a twinkle in his eyes, taunting his adversaries.

They were scared of him, because of his age and the respect he commanded and because of the way people loved him and what he stood for.

Interviewing him was like talking to your grandfather, only he knew his law and never failed to be on point but sometimes he would allow himself to ramble and engage you in a few minutes of “old talk,” making you feel like a child.

Lolo Mayor got the pay parking out of the city, he was happy, it also was the reason he did not get to finish his term, he did not care, and in fact he went out fighting, like a pro.

And that is how I will remember him, adamant and unrelenting, it will remind me of the time he was able to become the David to a Goliath and for that his legacy will remain.