By DANNY O. SAGUN

MANY including this writer will miss Jolly Resuello. And who will not, considering the jolly person in him? And his humility despite his successes in life (business and politics) was rare to find in this egotistic, me-first, indifferent world.

Considering himself as just a minor political functionary and only good for his city, he had big dreams for San Carlos. We vividly recall how he dreamed of a vibrant modern metropolis to replace the stagnant even backward-moving city he had inherited in 1998 when he assumed the mayorship.

True enough, his vision came true although it was not as big or encompassing as he had envisioned – tall buildings, malls, wide streets, etc. When he assumed office, the mode of everybody in his small group brainstorming over plans to chart the city’s progress was very positive.

“Agla nabidbir may datin San Carlos kayari samploy taon,” one in the group commented and everyone nodded in agreement.

Indeed the city underwent radical change, a feat considering that it happened in quite a short time. Year after year, citizens there witnessed bold innovations, really new to residents used to seeing narrow potholed roads, old dilapidated government and private-owned buildings, , dirty, humid and congested public market, etc.

A new market complex rose, away from the poblacion. The congested elementary schools were transferred to a much better place, making learning conducive to pupils. A mall replaced the old school compound. Old houses and buildings gave way to new structures, only showing that the private sector, the businessmen, are taking advantage of the opportunity at hand.

Any visitor who had seen the city in the late 90s could readily see the difference just about nine years after. And the change came about because of Jolly’s bold initiatives. He was a tireless worker.

We admit we saw more of Jolly only during the time he was a councilor and then as vice-mayor but not in recent years. We watched him fiscalize the administration of Mayor Douglas Soriano during his councilor days. When he became vice-mayor he sort of struck a good working relationship with Soriano and steered the sanggunian to pass measures endorsed by the chief executive. He was of the opposition but he did not oppose just for the sake of opposing.

Our coverage there became less and less when he became the city executive. Every rare time our paths meet however he would always invite us to visit him just like in the good old days. We never had time time to do so however, until we heard the news of his killing by assassins while he was merrymaking with his citymates during that fiesta celebration.

We hope Julier and his siblings whom Jolly had prepared politically can approximate their father’s competence and idealism – and natural charm..