Speaking in front of Mandurriao District day care parents, teachers and baranggay officials
Oath taking officer of the parents association from the various barangays of Jaro District Day Care Centers
Secure leaders empower others according to Dr. Maxwell
The SK Chairmen and SK Kagawad during the Ethics and Public Accountability seminar I sponsored
During the launching of one of my special projects, Dinagyang Kapamilya Dance Showdown 2
Guest Speaker during the graduation rites for the 100 hour English proficiency training program
During our Parish Fiesta in my home barangay, MV Hechanova
Guest during the Calaparan Day Care United Nations Celebration
Guest of Honor and Inspirational Speaker in John B. Lacson University Arevalo
UPV Job Fair Caravan sponsored by my office together with DOLE and POEA

October 24, 2008

It's still fresh in my memory when late 2006 I firmly decided to run for a city council seat in the City of Iloilo. There were people who didn't take me seriously. There were even some relatives and political allies from the province who laughed at my plan saying that it's impossible for me to make it and said to me, "you must be joking"...I also remembered some who even did bet that I would lose...Maybe if I didn't have the strong will and determination, I could have given up especially with the surveys that some were releasing that I was just not part of the winning circle.

At that time, I understood some people's apprehensions...Maybe because I was a fresh face and a new resident of the City having just transferred my residency and my voter registration from Iloilo Province...Maybe because a lot of people didn't know me that much and haven't seen me...Maybe because Iloilo City has never voted for a Tupas...Maybe because there were some political titans of the City who were working for my defeat...

I considered the concerns and issues in my candidacy as challenges. I believe that I thrive when I am challenged. It gives me more strength and excitement to make the dream a reality...the long shot and impossible, a possibility. Being underestimated and maligned with character assassinations seemingly didn't work well with the resident of the City of Iloilo as they gave me a resounding mandate by becoming the youngest elected city wide official with the highest number of votes (73,000) for a first time candidate without any political background in the city. Truly, nothing is impossible. I always believe in the intelligence of the Ilonggos. I trust Ilonggos that they would not allow themselves to be dictated upon, threatened and forced to vote for their city leaders. I am blessed and thankful that I was right. Until this day, I do not cease to thank the people of the city and the Lord for giving me the opportunity to be a public servant.

After my victory in the last May 2007 elections, talks about me running for a higher post started in the coffee shops. Being consistent with my stand of serving the people regardless if it is campaign season or not, I continue my consultations with my constituents by going around the 180 barangays of the city and I was surprised that barangay folks were already asking me to run for a higher post. Just recently, Radio and Newspaper Media have been interviewing me about my political plans and have talked about political possibilities for 2010.

It is an honor and a privilege to be considered for a higher post and as someone who can rise the political ladder this fast even if it is just my first term and amidst my being the youngest city official. Maybe the numerous legislative measures I have passed and I am working on, and the various innovative special projects I have been implementing is something that the city is appreciating and they would think I am doing a good job that is why I am being seriously considered for a higher post by the people of the City of Iloilo. It is too early to be politicking and it would be unfair for the people. Right now, I will continue doing my job and even go beyond what is expected of me. The right time for making a major political decision will come. As I have publicly declared, I will make my decision for 2010 as early as the first quarter of 2009 or latest my birthday next year. My decision is dependent on the people of the City of Iloilo. I will listen to them because without the people in the first place, I wouldn't have made it in the last elections. My political fate is at the hands of the City of Iloilo.

What a blessing it truly is from being a long shot candidate in 2007 and someone who some counted out to a person being considered by some as a political phenomenon in the city and considered as a serious and viable potential candidate for a higher post in 2010. Just being considered as such right now is such an honor, privilege and a blessing. I am very much humbled and will continue to work hard and to do my best for the upliftment of the lives of the city residents.