12 THE GLOW MARCH 1993 Town honors local hero Tomas Confesor, a distinguished Filipino patriot, gallant hero, prominent statesman, economist, and one of the great parliamen­tarians, was born in Cabatuan on March 2, 1891. His father "Maestro" Julian Confesor then vice president of the town, was ex­ecuted by the American military government on June 5, 1901 because of his revolution­ary activities. His mother, Prospers SEN. TOMAS V. CONFESOR Valenzuela, died a few years later, thus making him an orphan to carve a career of his own. This explains in a way why Tomas Confesor grew to be such an indomitable fighter. His first battle was with poverty as he struggled through high school and college. However, he finished the secondary course among the first graduates of Iloilo High School in 1908, together with his brother Valentin, who was the class valedictorian. Meanwhile, he taught in Cabatuan Elemen­tary School before he went to the United States of America to continue his studies. In the "land of opportunities", he scrubbed floors, washed dishes and dusted window panes. He finished the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Econom­ics from the Univesity of California in 1914, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago. Returning to the Philippines in 1916, he served the government as a public school teacher, supervising teacher, as instructor and associate professor in the University of the Philippines. For some time, he was dean of the College of Business Administration of the University of Manila. Tomas Confesor's more serious public life began when he was elected to the House of Representatives in the Philippine Legisla­ture as representative of the third district of Iloilo for three consecutive terms from 1922 to 1931. As a member of the lawmaking body, he earned the epithet "Stormy Petrel", making his peers in the legislature vigilant to what should be best for the people. He PTA board okays SG free increase by Milessa Huyo The Board of Directors of the Parent-Teacher (PTA) Association of the school approved the request of the Student Government to increase the membership fee in the Student Government from P1.00 to P5.00 effective school year 1992-1993 The approved was obtained by the Student Government during the special meeting ofthe PTA Board of Directors on March 4. Senator Gertjie Alcayaga authored Resolution Number 1, series of 1993, requesting the PTA Board of Directors to approved the increase in the membership fee in the Student Government from P1.00 to P5.00. Te resolution was unanimously approved by the officers of the Student Government. The increase in the membership fee in the Student Government is intended to generate additional funds for the programs and projects of the highest student organization in school. As provided for in the resolution, the collection of the Student Government membership fee will be facilitated by the school administration during enrolment period. Plebiscito Alfaro, provident of the Student Government, expressed his joy and thanks to the PTA Board of Directors for its positive action on the request of the Student Government. rode on many a storm of debates and pilled victory in his crusade against corruption and social injustices. However, the best accomplishment Tomas Confesor had was the cooperative movement. He gave it the first real boost when he sponsored and secured approval of Republic Act 3425, better known as the Co­operative Marketing Law. When he was appointed Director of Com­merce in 1939, he initiated and stepped up the establishment of credit associations and agricultural cooperatives. He gave this ad­ditional impetus when he assumed office as head of the National Cooperative Adminis­tration just before the outbreak of the war. In 1946, he was elected to the Senate for a term of six years, which exalted position he occupied until his death on June 6, 1951. He was married to Rosalina Grecia of Jaro, Iloilo City. by Plebiscito Alfaro The Municipality of Cabatuan honored the late Senator Tomas V. Confesor, a local hero, on his 102nd birth anniversary on March 2. At 6:30 a.m., a requiem Mass was held at the parish church. This was followed by a floral offering at the monument of the late "Stormy Petrel of Philippine Congress" in the town plaza, and at his Birth marker in barangay Maraguit. The floral offering was participated in by Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and several public and private agencies in town. A civic-military parade was held around the major streets in the poblacion. It was participated in by representatives of all national, provincial, and municipal agencies in town, as well as private organizations in town. - - A program followed after the parade at the community stage. The principal speaker during the program was Cong. Licurgo Tirador of the third district of Iloilo. In his speech, Cong. Tirador dwelled on the sterling qualities and virtues of the late governor of Panay and Romblon. He also recounted the heroic deeds and exploits of Tomas Confesor. A Court of Honor sponsored by the Boy Scouting Committee in Cabatuan highlighted the program. During the Court of Honor, awards were given to scouters and laymen who have made commendable contributions to Boy Scouting movement. It should be recalled that the late Senator Tomas V. Confesor, as a lawmaker, authored Republic Act III which created the charter of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, thus making it independent from the United States of America. He also authored the Cooperative Marketing Law of the Philippines. The day's activities were climaxed by a benefit dance sponsored by the Cabatuan Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association (CATODA) headed by Sangguniang Bayan member Nestor C. Amoroso.