MANILA, Philippines — A book on the late Ramon Bagatsing Sr., a former mayor of Manila, was launched on Wednesday on his 110th birth anniversary.
The book, entitled "Bombay: A True-Blue Filipino," was penned by the late National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.
It "tells the story and legacy of former Manila Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing," the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (Dtcam) said on Facebook.
"I grew up hearing stories about my Lolo Monching, about his love for Manila and, more than anything, his commitment to serving its people," Dtcam's Cristal Bagatsing, a former lawmaker, said on her Facebook page.
"His legacy continues to remind us that public service is built on character, integrity, and genuine compassion," she said.
Bagatsing Sr., Manila's longest-serving mayor, served as Manila mayor from 1971 to 1986, based on one of the infographics posted by the Dtcam on Facebook.
"In 1973, he established the Manila Barangay Bureau, which became the model for the barangay system which was eventually implemented in the entire country," an infographic said in Filipino.
Barangay means village.
Bagatsing "established the Manila Tourism Office and Manila Youth Bureau, which is among the first steps of a local government in the country for tourism and youth development," another of the infographics said in Filipino and English.
Another one said, "He led the distribution of land titles to poor Manileño families, so that they could have their own land to live in."
"During his term, schools, hospitals, health centers, daycare centers, markets, roads and public parks in Manila were established and developed," another one said.
Bagatsing was called "the incorruptible," one of the infographics said.
