Despite ongoing summer term classes and enrollment, Pampanga’s 1st District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II celebrated his birthday at the Holy Angel University (HAU) Immaculate Heart Gymnasium last Monday, June 3, 2024.
In an interview with Ms. Imelda Ladrillo, head of Campus Services/Venues, Logistics, and Printing, she stated that the venue was rented by Lazatin’s office because of the campus’ parking areas, which “would not cause traffic jams around the birthday venue.”
“Mas gusto nila dito, mas convenient, malawak yung [HAU], may parking. Naghahanap sila ng malaking venue, ocular inspection. This is the best venue daw dahil nasa almost 2,000 ang attendees nila,” Ms. Ladrillo explained.
Furthermore, when asked about the approval of the said venue given ongoing face-to-face summer term classes and enrollment, she cited the few number of students taking their summer term classes on-campus as a factor to the approval of the venue’s use.
“Mostly naman sa mga outside event na nagaganap, like sa theater, pinapa-rent ‘yan kapag hindi nagagamit,” Ms. Ladrillo stated.
“‘Pag Sabado [o kapag] walang gaanong klase. ‘Di ako tumatanggap ng weekday talaga, unless ‘pag summer lang,” she added.
Moreover, Ms. Ladrillo mentioned that Lazatin’s Office “complied” with the right processes on renting the university’s facilities.
“Same as kung paano nagrerent yung iba, yung naghohold ng sports fest diyan, may Letter of Intent [na] subject for approval, then once approved, they can use the facilities,” she said.
While the administration permitted Lazatin to utilize the university gym, Ms. Ladrillo clarified that the university “has no political affiliation or obligation” with the Congressman.
Showcase of ‘simplicity, humbleness’
In another interview, Lazatin’s Chief of Staff Jenneth “Janie” E. Sarmiento stated that their office chose HAU instead of other nearby venues to host the congressman’s birthday because of his “simplicity and humbleness”.
“If we’re going to compare [HAU] to SMX [Convention Center], ‘di ba mas convenient sa SMX? But why choose [HAU]? Because we saw that Congressman [Lazatin] is a very humble person. If we’re going to do it in a convention center, that’s not going to be him; it’s too formal, you know… it’s too high end, and that’s not [him],” Ms. Sarmiento stated.
She also mentioned that the university administration welcomed and accepted their request with the program.
“…we appreciate [HAU’s permission], really. Because we told them that it’s going to be a very big gathering. So maa-accommodate lahat yung gustong mangyari ni [Congressman] with the event or with the celebration,” she added.
Aside from the Congressman’s birthday celebration, various sectors from the first district were given “awards” and cheques of financial assistance as Lazatin’s “way of thanking” all the people who have supported him throughout his tenure.
Among those awarded are multi-sectoral groups such as persons with disability (PWD), solo parents, the urban poor, the pastoral community, and others.
