‘After I personally handed the frames to Col. Pete at his party last Friday, he held them to his heart as he sat in his wheelchair, happy to have been remembered by his most prized ward for whom he devoted a part of his life in fulfillment of his call of duty.’
PEDRO Miguel Sacro was born 95 years ago, on July 22, the son of Herminigildo Sacro of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, and Angela Miguel. He was the youngest son of seven children.
And as if to keep his Ilocano roots pure for the next generation he married Nancy Albano Valdez, who traced her roots to Pasuquin, also from Ilocos Norte.
What very few of us realize is that Pete, as he came to be called, played a significant role in a part of history that has shaped our country and continues to shape it today. Sounds big, yes? And in a way it is, in the way that the work done by hundreds of thousands of people in government on a daily basis add up to shape our lives in ways we do not notice.
But Pete had a more colorful contribution.
After graduating valedictorian from his elementary school in San Nicolas, Pete enrolled in high school in Calamba, Laguna — where he was a thespian as well as a good student of history. But rather than find a career on stage or maybe as a teacher he opted to become a military man. At the same time, he chose to enroll at MLQU where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts, Major in History, and a minor in English.
When Ferdinand E. Marcos was elected president in 1965 it was no surprise that fellow Ilocanos lined up to serve his administration. Pete was one of them, joining the Presidential Security Unit. This is where things got interesting. When the one and only son of the President and the First Lady chose to take further studies in London, again it was no surprise that FEM chose an Ilocano to be the young Marcos’ shadow. That was Pete. And so, all the time that young Ferdinand Jr. was studying in England, Pete was there, doing the job assigned to him by the President.
The assignment also provided Pete a chance to train with the Metropolitan Police in London and earn a “marksman” rating when he hit the bullseye in 49 of 50 targets.
The loyalty of Pete was such that on February 25, 1986 he did not leave the Palace until after the then First Family had been evacuated. And when the mortal remains of Ferdinand Marcos arrived in Laoag on Sept. 7, 1993, Pete (with his whole family in tow) was there to pay his respects.
Four years ago, when he turned 90 Pete expressed a wish: to once again see Ferdinand Jr. and Imee. The Marcos children surprised him, with BBM dropping in on the Sacro residence in South Cembo, Makati, much to the surprise of his former security man. Imee, on the other hand, dropped in at the Ascott BGC a few hours before the start of the simple celebration. Needless to say, Col Pete Sacro was the happiest 90-year-old in town.
A few days ago, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. surprised Col. Pete with a special gift: two framed photographs with special dedications. The first was a collage of photos of Pete and youngest son Ferdinand “Bong” Sacro Jr., both dressed in red, heading to the polling place on Election Day last May. Framed, it contained a simple greeting: Maraming Salamat, Pete.”
There was a bigger frame, pictures of BBM during the campaign, framed, and also with a dedication. This one read: “Dear Col Pete: Thank you for caring for me all those years.” And it was signed by the President.
After I personally handed the frames to Col. Pete at his party last Friday, he held them to his heart as he sat in his wheelchair, happy to have been remembered by his most prized ward for whom he devoted a part of his life in fulfillment of his call of duty.
At 90, and again at 94, Col. Pete Sacro was a very happy man.
(On behalf of Col. Pete and his family I would like to thank the President, the First Lady, and Social Secretary Bianca Zobel for making possible the high point in the birthday celebration!)
