Government officials in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental paid their last tributes to Gloria Araneta Esteban during necrological services held for her yesterday at the Bacolod City Government Center, and later at the Capitol Social Hall.

Esteban was the first female vice mayor of the city and first vice governor of the province.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday described Esteban as one remarkable lady – a woman born of nobility, yet one who transcended a life of comfort and ease to tread into the world of politics and, significantly, the arena of public service and commitment to community outreach.

He said she was a woman ahead of her time. She was born and raised in an environment of social tranquility and affluence, yet she chose to go beyond her comfort zone and dedicated so many of her productive years to serving the people of Bacolod City and Negros Occidnetal, he added.

Leonardia said Esteban is one shining icon of the city and the province – for the decades of unconditional service and involvement in practically all sectors of society where she had made a difference – contributing not only time and resources – but most of all, her wisdom and sterling example of leadership and service.

Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said a noted beauty queen, not only in Negros but also in Manila, where she was “Miss Pearl of the Orient”, Esteban went beyond her “socialite” status to come down to the masses.

Her varied experience as religious leader, business woman, dedicated civic and charitable worker, and influential political leader, inspired future generations of Negrense women to actively participate in governance as a vehicle to serve the less fortunate sector of society, he said.

“We are glad she was able to witness the return of the seat of the Provincial Government to this glorious building in 2003,” Zayco said.

Also present at the Bacolod service were Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who read a resolution of condolence, and Councilors Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Al Victor Espino, Alex Paglumotan, Napoleon Cordova, Reynold Iledan and Diosdado Valenzuela, who read scriptures from the Bible during the rites at the government center.

Esteban’s daughter, Merle Villacorta recalled that her mother was oftentimes away in meetings and caucuses, fulfilling the obligations and responsibilities of her position.

Because of her charitable works, her mother was given the Papal Award by Pope Paul XII, Villacorta said.

Villacorta said “She would have been very pleased to know that the city she loved and served is very well prepared, under the leadership of ‘Mayor Bing’, to deal with the economic crisis, that unfortunately, is expected to come to the country.”

Esteban, 96, died from internal bleeding triggered by ulcers at about 6:35 a.m. Jan. 30 at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Bacolod City.

She was the first vice governor of Negros Occidental and served in 1959 to 1963 during the term of Gov. Valeriano Gatuslao, was vice mayor of Bacolod City in 1955, and was the first female Bacolod councilor in 1952.

She will be laid to rest in the family mausoleum at the Bacolod Memorial Park after a 10 a.m. mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral Saturday.*CGS

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