A group of retired and incumbent Ilokano officials from the uniformed and civilian government agencies successfully launched the Timpuyog Pilipinas at the Kalayaan Hall of the Club Filipino in San Juan City on Saturday, April 29. No less than Senator Imee R. Marcos with newly-installed Philippine National Police Chief, General Benjamin Acorda Jr, retired Police General Ricardo F. De Leon, former Senator Francisco Kit Tatad, and former Vice Governor Imelda Papin graced the launching of the newly-formed civic organization. Former DND Secretary Gibo Teodoro and former Senator Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan extended online their warmest congratulations to the organizers of the association. Timpuyog Pilipinas founding chairperson, former DOTC Undersecretary, and retired Police General Thompson C. Lantion clarified that the Timpuyog Pilipinas is not a political party but a civic organization that would help and assist the national government to achieve its long-time goal of sustainable progress, peace, and development. “Timpuyog is an Ilokano word, which means a group, an association or organization, or a gathering of men and women for a great cause and purpose,” explained Lantion. “Only the Ilokanos have conceptualized and started this movement but this is intended for every Filipino here and abroad with a noble aim of realizing a strong and unified government of our nation,” Lantion added. He said that the organization would act as a catalyst of change and unity that will promote progressive revolution and not destructive one, and love and not hatred. Former Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., the national president of the Timpuyog Pilipinas, said the chosen Ilokano leaders created the organization with guidance from the verse of the Bible, Romans 8:28, which says, “All things work together for good, according to God’s Purpose, which means that everything happened in our life, there’s a reason and there’s no coincidence.” “Everything happens for a reason and this reason is always good for our lives, and so God’s given vision is our reason to help our fellowmen; a reason to serve the country, and a reason to support and assist our government in times of crisis and a reason to contribute for nation building,” said Espino. Professor John Ortiz Teope, the Timpuyog Pilipinas national secretary–general, described the character of the organization as the men/women of principles with common good cause. “Timpuyog aims to make solutions to the various concerns hounding the government now, the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to achieve our long-time aspiration to have our country’s tiger economy, sustainable development maximizing our agriculture resources and industrialization without sacrificing the environment,” said Teope. “The only way to look at change is for us to unite; loving rather than hate and uniting for all of us for a good cause. Timpuyog symbolizes that everyone has a role in this society. It is up to you to look at your reason; it is up to you to look at your purpose on what we can do, on what we can contribute to the development of our nation,” Teope added. Rounding up the other officers of the Timpuyog Pilipinas present during the launching were Usec. Thomas Orbos – the Executive Vice President; Congressman Willie Buyson Villarama – national treasurer; Department of Agriculture Asec. James Layug – Sgt-At-Arms; Usec. Cheryl Marie Natividad – Caballero – the director for Agriculture Development; Atty. Ralph C. Lantion – General Counsel; former Badoc, Ilocos Norte Mayor Thomas Torralba – national director; former San Juan, Ilocos Mayor Benjamin V. Sarmiento – national director; and Mr. Wilfredo Martinez – national director. (Freddie Lazaro)