Prominent Illustrados and Former Leaders of Pandan
Prominent Illustrados
While it is true that history is a record of events, it is even truer that it is people who make history.
In Pandan, like any other place perhaps, there are people who, because of their earlier education, natural talents or their charisma for leadership had been instrumental in making history.
The learning of the Cartillas and the Doctrina Christiana certainly served their purpose in acculturation. However, the orientation for a formal and systematic education began only during the American regime, where the first public schools were opened in Virac, Bato, San Andres and Pandan.
The First graduates of those schools became the local illustrados.
The late Senator Jose O. Vera studied law at the Escuela de Derecho (of the Ateneo de Manila). After practicing law for some time, he turned his attention to politics. His first try at politics was successful. Running for representative of the second district of Albay, which included Catanduanes as a sub-province, he was easily elected. He then ran for provincial governor against the then political kingpin of Albay, considered by majority as a sure winner. He won. His upset victory became big news in Bicolandia. In subsequent elections, he ran for the 6th senator district and handily won again.
Jose Olfinas Vera
Among other things, he is now known as the author of Ley Vera, the law requiring the application for an issuance of a marriage license.
Pedro Vera, a nephew of Senator Jose O. Vera, was elected as representative of Albay (including the sub-province of Catanduanes) and was noted for his influence in the building of roads, bridges, and school buildings.
Former Governor and now Vice-Governor Jose G. Almojuela is another famous son of Pandan. First elected as municipal mayor at age 24, he served three terms and without opponent the third time he ran. In 1959, he was appointed acting provincial governor. He served as governor for two terms. After serving for two terms, he again ran for municipal mayor and was easily elected because of his fatherly concern (he is affectionately called ‘father’). He is well-loved by the people to the extent that his name has become a household word.
Archbishop Jose T. Sanchez is another favorite son of Pandan. Elected and installed as Archbishop of Nueva Segovia (Vigan, Ilocos Sur) in 1981, he served as a constant inspiration for others who would want to serve at the altar. And the late Father Late Msgr. Concordio A. Sanchez, the first ordained priest from Pandan, was himself his elder cousin.
The first Bicolano career diplomat, Leandro I. Verceles, former Ambassador of the Philippine government to the U.N., is another famous son of Pandan. Starting from humble beginnings and studying through college first as a government pensionado, he went far ahead on his own in pursuing a career in foreign affairs.
Former Regional Trial Court Judge Rafael P. Santelices is certainly another distinguished Pandanon. A UP graduate, after practicing law for some time, he ran and was elected as a Municipal Mayor. Later, during the 1970 constitutional convention, he was elected as one of two delegates from the lone district of Catanduanes.
In 1983, after practicing law for many years, he was nominated and ultimately appointed as a Regional Trial Court Judge. He worked at the 10th Judicial District, Ligao Albay.
The former Mayor, Teofisto I. Verceles, younger brother of Ambassador Leandro I. Verceles, a successful businessman turned politician, is bent on trying to upgrade Pandan and have it ranked among the progressive towns of the country.
By common opinion, though not much educated but much respected and highly regarded, are the following:
The late Eduardo Vera, brother of Senator Jose O. Vera, who served as presidente municipal for many years.
The late Marcelo Santelices, who, because of his fluency in Spanish, served for many years as the town’s sole notary public.
The late Gaudencio Icaranom, who served as presidente municipal and was instrumental in opening a possible trail from Pandan to Hitoma.
The late Pedro Cabrera, one of the pioneer teachers of the town, who later served as a Municipal mayor.
The late Canuto Posada, who can be considered as a model of hard work and unflagging diligence for duty. A carpenter, he later became a real property owner and a prosperous farmer and served for many years as president of the Centro Catolico, helping a great deal in the rebuilding of the local church.
An extraordinary talent in music is attributed to the late Teodoro Bernardino (popularly known as ‘’Maestrong Doro’’) who served for many years as choir master in Pandan and became the composer of popular ‘’auroras’’ songs of ‘’pastoras’’ and even dramatic plays.
In the field of business, the most prominent businessmen who maintained commerce and trade in Pandan, with mainland Bicol for many years, were the following: Antonio Medina and Benigno Dominguez in abaca and copra. The brothers, Placido, Jose, and Juan Noceda in sea transportation and general merchandising, and in later years, Felipe Sabeniano and Serafin Santelices.
In the field of education, the more distinguished are the brothers Guillermo and Lorenzo Santelices and Mr. and Mrs. Amador Vera who served as district supervisors. With them can be considered Miss Concepcion Santelices, a pioneer grade school teacher who, in later years after retirement, opened the first kindergarten classes in Pandan.
In other fields of government services can be identified the following: Leopoldo Santelices, who rose from the ranks and became a retired fiscal examiner of the insurance commission and who is the father of Regional Trial Court Judge Rafael P. Santelices and Dr. Wilfredo P. Santelices, the former Chief of Pandan District Hospital.
Former Municipal Vice-Mayor Mateo Fernandez, a former public school teacher and retired municipal treasurer, father of two famous sons, Romeo and Merito Fernandez, and Dr. Manuel R. Fernandez.
Mr. Mateo I. Condeno, a former classroom teacher who served as a municipal councilor before and after World War II and as a provincial secretary for more than twelve years, under two provincial governors.
The late Jose A. Sanchez, a chemical engineer who invented the cold process of extracting coconut oil and the development of its by-products.
Pasay City Fiscal Adelino A. Sanchez and Atty. Manuel P. Sanchez, a former president of the Free Telephone Workers Union and branch manager of PLDT.
Edmundo S. Alberto, former provincial fiscal of Catanduanes and Camarines Sur.
And as the years roll on, there is every hope that Pandan will continue to produce more famous sons and daughters.
