He first ran in 2004 as city councilor of Bacolod and placed 14th. Then, as though inspired by Desiderata, ran again in 2007 and landed on the 13th seat.
This writer was there when he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 10, 2010 elections. And when he spoke to the MONOPAL team supporters waiting outside the Commission on Election (Comelec): "This time mada-og na gid ni (I will surely win this time)." It was said in humor but the mysterious ways of the Lord favored him. This time, he won a seat, not a lower one but the highest! Among the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the name El Cid Familiaran of the MONOPAL Team, is now their number one councilor. Perhaps, it is nice to recall the name "El Cid" because of the 1961Charlton Heston-Sophia Loren starrer motion picture which was re-shown here in Bacolod’s finest theater then, the State Theater no less. Later, as a grown up student of World History and Literature, the character of El Cid, became more meaningful as we learned about his exploits as symbolic of the highest virtue. He does not belong to the medieval Spanish Aristocratic class but of a humbler status. Comparing him to the worthless nobility of high social rank, El Cid fought for Spain, its honor, glory, king, and religion, thus he is called the national hero of Spain. Like the virtue of "El Cid Campeador" (The Lord Champion), the El Cid Familiaran of Bacolod City, is a Pastor’s son who humbly but effectively served Barangay 13 for the past 21 years. His father, the late Beneldez (Belding) Familiaran was a well-known writer and highly admired journalist during his time. He authored a weekly column in the early years of NDB when it was still a weerkly paper, aptly titled SOUNDS FAMILIAR and FAMILIARISMS, the latter a compilation of his humorous experiences and witty ideas that never failed to mesmerize his readers. His mother Imelda was also a well-respected educator having been a public school teacher until she retired. Anyone can see for himself or herself how he had faithfully served his barangay, an experience as a barangay leader that he will bring to the halls of the Sang-guniang Panlungsod. Before the last May 10 elections, the People of Bacolod saw Councilor El Cid Familiaran disproving the "black propaganda" that he is up to abolish the teachers’ Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) of teachers. This was meant to smear him using massive cellphone text messages which even reached the upland barangay of Granada. Undaunted, Familiaran disproved such deception, considering that the official pronouncements of the MONOPAL Team headed by Congressman Monico Puentevella was to increase the teachers’ ECOLA, contrary to the black propaganda that backfired. What is black propaganda, countered El Cid Familiaran, is the denial by the opposing party to privatize the three major markets of Bacolod - Central, Burgos and Libertad including the sale of the vendors’ plaza. As a flagship legislation, Councilor Familiaran will prioritize a cost-free medical services of the Bacolod City Health Department. He explained, however, that this is for the "poorest of the poor" sector of the City. Those who can afford will be charged accordingly, which is the same idea as that of the Bacolod City Heart, Lung and Kidney Center, a flagship project of Congressman Monico Puentevella.* By Gil Alfredo B. Severino Negros Daily Bulletin May 17, 2010
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