Mel to Ilonggos: 'I am the man behind Bangon Iloilo, Aton Ini battlecry'
Give credit to where credit is due. Especially if evidence are submitted and exhibited.
Such is now the personal appeal of colorful Ilonggo, Mel Carreon, who has since gained local, national and in a way, international recognition.
A proclaimed victim of dagdag-bawas in previous elections, Carreon wrote The News Today (TNT) to put things in "proper perspective." To note, Carreon takes no offense to being tagged as "perennial poll loser" being the perennial candidate every local and national elections. Yet the "unsung hero" that he considers himself now, this councilor-mayor-congressman-senator that Iloilo never had wants credit to where it is due.
Case in point – the battlecry of Mayor Jerry Treñas after the devastation brought by typhoon Frank, "Bangon Iloilo."
Carreon in "Exhibit A" submitted to this writer a July 3, 2004 news article written by London-based Ilonggo journalist Raj Padilla.
Padilla wrote then how Carreon like the bounty-hunter Django, "would show to all that his Senate candidacy is anchored in his desire to run after outlaws in government." In closing, said news article indeed stated Carreon's slogan, "Bangon ka Iloilo. Bangon ka Pilipinas."
"Exhibit B" in yet another news article in May 2004 where Carreon then thanked the over 1,000 Ilonggos who voted for him. He even singled out his loyalists – the Guanco Boys who led his unique motorcade with a pick-up truck dragging a coffin bearing the message, "Bangon Iloilo."
Same article wrote of his failure to attend candidates' forums "as per advice of my advisers among whom were former US Presidents."
Another slogan is "Aton Ini" used by a chain of grocery stores which Carreon also claimed was his original idea.
"BANGON ILOILO and ATON INI originated from a common man which disseminated by the Fourth Estate thru broadcast and published by print media, that Mel is not the owner of the Philippines Patent Office. My philosopher in life we only live once but at least we have accomplished something even do (sic) we become, THE UNSUNG HEROES," Carreon wrote in his appeal for clarifications.