Remembering Ka Blas’ Legacy

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

It has been a decade since Blas F. Ople died but his legacy is still remembered by Bulakenyos who attended the 87^th commemoration birthday for the former Senate President.

His son, Felix Ople reminded everyone what his Father left to the Bulakenyos.  He admired Blas F. Ople as a politician, leader and especially, as a father.

According to him, the two laws that his father created, Labor Code and Overseas Employment Act are still bringing benefits to the Filipinos. He added that other countries have copied the laws that his father authored for their own good.

He added that due to his father’s effort to extend the labor of Filipinos to abroad, now the nation’s economy is benefiting from OFW’s remittances.

But above all, he admired Ka Blas as a great father. He said that the value that he learned from his father is staying simple despite holding a high position.

His fellow from Hagonoy, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has nothing but praise for Ka Blas. He admired Ka Blas for his efforts to overcome poverty and marked his legacy before he died.

“Kung ang salitang himala ay makapagkakatawang-tao, ang magiging pangalan nito ay Blas F. Ople,” said Alvarado. He added that Ople was a ‘wonderboy’ of his generation.

“Tinawid ni Ka Blas ang guhit ng kapalarang naghahati at nakapagitan sa ordinaryo at namumukod-tangi,” said further by Alvarado.

Alvarado as a youth also gained inspiration from Ka Blas. “Pareho kaming taga- Hagonoy, siya’y naging inspirasyon ko rin kung papaano siya nung araw sa kanyang kahirapan ay palaging nasa library,” explained Alvarado.

“Average student lamang ako, but I graduated also valedictorian from highschool, sa pagpupunyagi, ang aking inspirasyon ay nakita ko yan kay Blas F. Ople,” added Alvarado.

He stated that like him, the youth should also idolize and remember Ka Blas.

“No pain no gain, so siya hindi lamang ordinaryong pain ang kanyang binata, yung mas malaki para mas maraming gain, at hindi lamang ordinaryong apoy ang kanyang sinuong kundi mas malaking apoy kaya higit siyang nagging dalisay, parang ginto, so ang mga kabataan dapat ganoon din,” explained Alvarado.

“Patuloy sanang maging inspirasyon ang buhay ng Amang Blas  lalo na po sa lahat ng mga naglilingkod at naghahangad na maglingkod dito po sa ating lalawigan at sa ating bansa,” quoted Felix Ople.