Sonny Angara says father Edong was ‘small town boy with big dreams’

“A boy from a small town with big dreams and big plans. The boy from Baler who made good and who gave back.”

This is how incumbent Senator Sonny Angara described his father — former Senate President Edgardo “Edong” Angara who died of heart attack on May 13. The late senator was also popularly called “Seja” (acronym for “Senator Edgardo J. Angara”).

READ: Angara, former Senate President; 83

During the necrological services for the late senator at the Senate on Wednesday, Sonny recalled how his father lived his life, starting from his childhood in Baler, Aurora to becoming a senator, a diplomat, a state university president, an educator, a Cabinet member, among others.

“My father’s childhood dream was to be a lawyer and to be Secretary of Justice. Safe to say, he exceeded his childhood dreams. My father attributed his success to his upbringing and to his education,” Sonny said.

Edong wore many hats and played many roles but that of being a grandfather was his favorite, Sonny said.

“In fact, a week before he passed, he took a trip to HongKong with our youngest child Javier. His plan was just for him, an 83-year old man and his 7-year old grandson, to travel to Hongkong together. My secretary booked it for the two of them,” Sonny said.

“Imagine if something happened to him, sino ang mag-aalaga sa kanya? Yung kanyang apo?” the senator wondered.

‘Quick temper’

Sonny said Edong’s second favorite role was being a senator and Senate President. The elder Angara served in the Senate for 23 years.

“Kulang po ang oras ngayong araw para pagusapan ang lahat ng kaniyang nailathalang batas, ikwento ang lahat ng kwento at banggitin ang lahat ng parangal na natanggap ng aking ama. History and the history writers will take care of that,” Sonny said.

“What we request is that all of you here remember our father fondly as a reformer, as an institution builder, as a builder of dreams, an enabler of dreams, and an enabler of people.”

However, Sonny admitted that his father was human and had his flaws.

“If he hurt any of you here, humihingi po kami ng paumanhin,” Sonny said.“He had a quick temper. It was never personal to him. It was always borne out of a strong will to get things done. Very impatient po ang aking father.”

Sonny said his father loved the Senate and its people and treasured the time he spent in the chamber.

“He called them the best years of his life and the relationships he formed and the bonds he formed with many of you here meant so much to him,” he further said. /vvp