VIGAN CITY — A testimonial dinner was held at the Vigan Culture and Trade Center here in honor of two homecoming sons of this city – Region 1 police director Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares Jr., and Region 1 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways Director Mariano Alquiza.

A full-blooded Ilocano, Azares traces his roots in Barangay Raois where he spent part of his younger years.

Two of his relatives, Sangguniang Panglungsod member Loreto Quibilan and Kagawad Andres Adriatico, took to the rostrum and spoke fondly about the general’s family.

As this developed, Mayor Eva Marie Medina said that the Bigueños were very much impressed by the achievements of the honorees.

“Your success in your respective fields is a source of inspiration and worthy of emulation,” Medina pointed out.

In his response, Azares reminisced about his youth, recounting stories about his father, a military Master Sergeant whom he described as a strict disciplinarian.

“I would like you to know that I consider it a rare honor and privilege to be able to directly serve my fellow Ilocanos. Indeed, blood is thicker than water, and as Regional Director of Police Regional Office 1, I pledge to do my very best to be worthy of being called an Ilocano, particularly a Bigueño,” he said.