Yes, it’s true. I’ve been officially committed since May 14, 2007 and the relationship was formalized and confirmed on July 1, 2007. I started my courtship late 2006 and after a number of months, got the sweet yes.

Some say that we only have one chance to experience true love. Well, that is arguable and debatable and it depends on the situation of each individual. In my case, I have had four serious relationships and a number of mutual understanding relationships. I would consider each one I had as a different kind of love.

I had my first “puppy” love at age 16 with a beautiful lady who was two years my senior. At age 19, I had my very first serious relationship that lasted for four years. I was also engaged at age 22. It didn’t quite work out well and a number of relationships followed. Some of the women I was linked to were from Iloilo, some from Manila and there was even some from abroad. I guess I was searching for the right woman for me and someone who I could truly spend the rest of my life with. Maybe I haven’t found the right woman yet…maybe she’s still on her way.

As for now, yes I am married. I am married to my job as City Councilor and to the City of Iloilo. I am definitely committed to being a good public servant and to at times exceed expectations or at least meet expectations. This is why I go beyond my mandated role as public servant by organizing and bringing innovative special projects and programs to the people of Iloilo City. I also have a tri-media production that aims to reach out to all Ilonggos especially the youth, women and elderly. For my main job as local legislator, I have passed a number of legislative measures and I’m pushing for a lot of new and meaningful legislation that could benefit a lot of Ilonggos. I listen to the people. I keep in touch with them. I mingle with the barangay folks. Without the support of the 73,000 Ilonggos who voted for me, I wouldn’t have made it and I wouldn’t have become the youngest City Official elected city wide of Iloilo City. The people of the City of Iloilo are my boss. I owe them my position. I serve all barangays whether big or small or if I won or lost in that particular barangay.

This valentine’s day, I will spend it with the people of Iloilo City and also with my family and friends.

The right time will come when I will have my Mrs. Lex Tupas and future kids, Xelein (my real name in reverse) and Alexander Miguel. Patience is a virtue.

Joining the other guests during the Jaro Coronation Program

So many street shops in Jaro during the Jaro Fiesta

I was born in Iloilo City on the month of August of year 1979. Nanay wanted to give birth in Iloilo City. As such, even when she was 9 months pregnant and a day or so before giving birth flew back to Iloilo City from Manila. She told me that her bag of water broke while riding the plane on the 10^th of August and thought I would be born during that travel. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be and I was born the next day in Iloilo City. I was even joking, if I were born inside an airplane during its commercial flight, I could have had any local and foreign trip for free for the rest of my life. It is said to be a practice of airline companies to extend such a privilege since it only happens once in awhile and it is said to bring good luck to the airline company.

I had my first 2 years of my life in Iloilo. I was then brought to Manila when I was 2 years old and a half for the start of my kindergarten. I continued my schooling years up to finishing my Masters Degree in various schools and universities in Metro Manila such as La Salle Green Hills, Ateneo De Manila University, Asian Institute of Management and the University of the Philippines-Diliman Campus. I was visiting Iloilo City every summer or during the Christmas season. I remember staying in my tita’s house in Petalsville Subdivision, barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro and then eventually in my sister’s apartment located in barangay San Jose, Jaro. As I formally became a resident and a registered voter of the City of Iloilo in late 2005, I became officially a resident of MV Hechanova Subdivision, barangay MV Hechanova, District of Jaro, Iloilo City and that is a fact I am proud of until this day.

The District of Jaro has been part of my past, my growing up years and even with my political career. The people of Jaro have been very warm in welcoming me to our beloved District. I am so grateful of their warm hospitality.

After the Dinagyang Festival and the Chinese New Year Celebration, another big event is coming to Iloilo City, the highlight celebration of the Feast of the Lady of Candles or the Jaro Fiesta. It is said to be the most prestigious fiesta in Western Visayas. I am one of the proud residents of Jaro who will join the said event and who didn’t miss the opening salvo even at the time when the Dinagyang Festival had its opening salvo and the Arevalo District Fiesta had its highlight event.

Let us thank the Lord for the blessings he has brought our beloved Jaro District and the strength he has given us to have risen up from the calamity brought about by Typhoon Frank last year. Jaro was one of the Districts in the City that was hardly hit but with the resilience of the people of Jaro, we stood up again and passed the tests and challenges that came our way.

NagaUGYON ako sa pagselebrar sa kapistahan sang Distrito sang Jaro. Happy Fiesta sa akun mga Ka-Distrito.

With other dignitaries in the Freedom Grandstand

I actually have a small percentage of Chinese blood that can be traced from my mother's side

The first time I joined the Chinese New Year parade from the capitol to the Freedom Grandstand

Enjoying the Chinese Cultural Show in a mall

Chinese Dragon Dance

In 2005, I was honored to have been chosen as a Philippine-China Youth Ambassador and was able to visit 3 cities in mainland China, namely, Beijing, Huangzhou and Shanghai. My first travel abroad in 1997 was in Hongkong and Shenzhen which are also part of China.

The Chinese have a good place in history especially when it comes to trade and industry. They are also known for their ability to make a small business grow even with just little profit per item. Up to today, big commercial areas like Divisoria are full of Chinese merchandisers, retailers and wholesalers who sell value for money items. Furthermore, a lot of the big companies and industries in our country are owned by Filipino Chinese individuals or families.

In our local scene, a lot of Filipino Ilonggo Chinese help our local economy become more vibrant with their shops, restaurants, hotel, resorts and other business establishments. They also help in giving employment to our fellow Ilonggos. Thank you to our Filipino Ilonggo Chinese friends for helping our local economy grow.

Let us all work together with all Filipinos, 100% or with a mix of other nationalities and cultures like the Filipino Ilonggo Chinese for the progress of our beloved Iloilo City.

Happy Chinese New Year to all. I am wishing everyone the best of luck.