During my proclamation as City Councilor-elect. For the first time, Tatay and Nanay attended a major political event of Iloilo City. Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city, independent of the province and a co-equal of Iloilo Province. As seen in the picture, Tatay and Nanay are literally and figuratively backing me up.

Me and Tatay in our Iloilo City abode. picture taken last December of 2006. He is my idol, mentor and friend.

Some people tend to be shy or feel insecure of their humble home, simple stuff and simple things they have in life. They feel ashamed at times or they feel that some might think of them in a different light if it is known. What they do not know is that it is better to have humble beginnings because it pushes you to strive more and reach your dreams. It is also an inspirational story to have had those beginnings until one becomes big one day.

My Tatay hails from a coastal and far flung barangay in the Municipality of Ajuy, Iloilo. It is called Barangay Bay-ang, Ajuy, Iloilo. He was born to a simple family that worked hard to make ends meet. My father had big dreams. Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to be a lawyer someday and eventually a public servant. Some of his contemporaries during that time might have just laughed off his ambition and thought it was impossible. Tatay believed anything is possible as long as one works hard for it and perseveres. He did not allow poverty to stop him from reaching his dream. He walked on a daily basis 15 kms just to go to Culasi Elementary School and at times walked bare foot because he couldn’t buy slippers or shoes. When time came that he finished his Bachelors of Law Degree and needed to take a review and the bar examinations in Manila, he had another obstacle the money needed to spend for the review and the bar. Being very persistent in his dream, he found a way and this is by selling their family’s 13 Carabaos. He was blessed and lucky to have passed the bar and even got the highest mark from examinees coming from outside of Metro Manila. He became a certified lawyer and then worked for the poor. After which, he became interested to serve the public in a bigger capacity as a public servant. Even with the lack of machinery, a name recall, the funds to back him up and was against political titans, he was courageous enough to fight for the people and his dream. He lost a couple of elections but always had a way to bounce back with might. He became Mayor for 7 years of his adopted municipality, Barotac Viejo. He then became the first ever President of the Mayor’s League of the Philippines, then #2 rank Regional Assemblyman of Region VI for 6 years, followed by becoming 5^th District Congressman for 11 years and now on his last term and 8^th year as Governor of the Province of Iloilo. Imagine a poor boy who didn’t have a lot going for him has now reached his dreams and even more. Truly, good things happen to those who work hard and who find ways.

To all Ilonggos, let us not allow poverty or any kind of hindrance to stop us from dreaming big and from reaching our goals. Nothing is impossible as long as you set your eyes on the target and have the full commitment to go for it no matter what.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.