EPILOGUEDasmarias will always be sufficiently ambitious: fortitude and hardcore determination will always be its trademarks. Sulong na, Sulong pa Lungsod ng Dasmarias! (Onward, Forward, City of Dasmarias!)

-Excerpt from Philippine Star

City of Dasmarias

2nd Founding Anniversary

November 26, 2011

Transformation and New BeginningsAt the beginning of this book we tell about the Paru-Paro Festival celebrated by Dasmarineos every 26th of November to commemorate the ratification of the Citys Charter. We believe that the city government found in the butterfly an apt symbol of the citys own transformation. Like the butterfly that first starts out as a really small and round egg which then transforms itself into a tiny worm-like creature called a caterpillar then molts into a mostly brown or green chrysalis before finally turning into a very colorful butterfly, the City of Dasmarias was transformed from a small visita during the Spanish era into an independent municipality under the Americans and then a bustling and highly-urbanized city of today.Our interest was drawn into this remarkable story of transformation that set off our decision to conclude that the story is worth retelling. That is the reason for this book.Sulong NaThis book has established that the goal of making Dasmarias a city was not a spontaneous undertaking. In as early as 1989, officials of the municipality led by Mayor Recto Cantimbuhan made a conscious effort, spearheaded by Vice-Mayor Dino Macayan and his committee, to make the town eligible for cityhood. Back then they already knew that the rate of growth and progress would require the resources and structures that only cityhood could provide. We do not know their individual intentions and this book did not delve into that, but, when Dasmarias became eligible in 1995, they spared no time and efforts to make the goal a reality. Of course they failed to achieve the towns collective dream of cityhood. There is, however, no denying that these town officials were the ones who initiated the process of cityhood. To them rightfully belongs the distinction of being the first to chart the course towards that direction.High in the list of the Dasmarineos who made the cityhood dream a reality is Congressman Elpidio Pidi Barzaga. Initially against it, Congressman Barzaga more than made up for his early opposition when he relentlessly pushed for the project until its successful completion. He made two attempts for cityhood when he was the Municipal Mayor and made a third one when he was Congressman.Whether one is a supporter or a critic, there is no arguing to the fact that it took someone of his caliber and dedication to get the job done. Congressman Dragon made the attempt but his lack of support in the Senate doomed the project. The fact that he was at odds with Senator Ernesto Maceda who was then the influential Senate President, aggravated the situation. Congressman Maliksis demonstration of eagerness and all-out support was not enough to brighten the prospect of cityhood for Dasmarias, for he also failed. While Municipal Mayor, Pidi Barzaga also failed to advance the cause.Congressman Barzaga, however, persisted. Knowing that political influence in the Philippine Congress is the key to achieving the towns elusive dream; he ran and secured membership to the House of Representatives. Once there, he built for himself a reputation for competence and hard work. With his growing brilliant reputation, he was able to associate himself with other members of the House of Representatives who wielded influence in the lower house. Association with equally influential Senators followed, then the Executive Department and with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself.The connection with the former President proved to be the key factor in gaining the support of Senators previously opposed to the project. Congressman Barzaga relates how she called them up Senator Enrile and Estrada informing them of her support for the Dasmarias cause and instructing them to do likewise. She also directed them to convince Senator Bong Revilla of the futility of his opposition. He was firm in his belief, without denying his and efforts and those of the Dasmarineos, that the success of the whole undertaking could be attributed to the former President. These were the missing ingredients to the three previous failed attempts to cityhood. Congressman Barzaga, with sheer determination and hard work sought, found, and made use of them.When the past and incumbent officials of Dasmarias demonstrated commitment and persistence in their pursuit of the elusive cityhood dream, it endeared them to the Dasmarineos. The residents reciprocated with the same determination, persistence, flexibility, and passion in supporting that dream. They all knew what benefits cityhood would bring to their municipality. Most of all they never wavered in their belief that the town had long been eligible for that esteemed status. Setting aside their differences, it removed the roadblocks that prevented them from acting in a unified and consistent manner. When the time to ratify the City Charter came, they eagerly welcomed it by their affirmative vote.Sulong Pa Lungsod ng Dasmarias!Whats next for Dasmarias, a highly-urbanized city status? This was one of the questions addressed by Congressman Barzaga during an interview on July 4, 2014. Dasmarias, he replied, became a city only four years ago and it was too soon to consider elevating to a highly-urbanized status and it has not yet reaped and enjoyed all the benefits accruing to it as a component city.Although the highly-urbanized-city status is the next logical step, the main concern of the city administration right now, he said, was the fulfillment of the promises made to all of the Citys stakeholders. For now, he said, the main thrust of the city government is making the City business-friendly. By this he meant that the investors should find investing in Dasmarias not only profitable but also a pleasant experience, i.e., making the process of investing easy and rewarding. He, however, rue the fact that agricultural sector, once the pride of Dasmarias, was adversely affected by the increased industrialization of the City. Lands used for food production shrank as farmers chose to convert their farms into subdivisions or industrial areas for more profits.So whats next for Dasmarias? Congressman Pidi says a lot is in store for the City. Meanwhile, he advises everyone to just for the moment enjoy its newly-acquired status.pg. 3