Nadia ready for the big challenge

Nadia Montenegro is unfazed as she faces what might be the biggest challenge in her life. Nadia, who has been away from the limelight for quite some time now, is set to enter politics as the congressional candidate of the first district of Caloocan. She has lived in the city for the past 19 years now, with her life partner, Macario "Boy" Asistio.

All these years, Nadia has been aware of the problems of Caloocan and its residents. That’s why she has taken these concerns as part of her five-point platform of service which she plans to implement once she gets elected — Nutrisyon para sa lahat; Angking talino pagyamanin; Damayan para sa pangkabuhayan; Inprastraktura batayan ng kaunlaran; Aksyon para sa maunlad at mapayapang pamayanan.

Nadia is not totally alien to politics. Her partner, Boy, served as Caloocan Mayor for several years. It was during his term when Nadia experienced dealing directly with the people of Caloocan and trying to find possible solutions to their problems. Up to this day, Nadia says the first district of Caloocan has yet to have its own hospital and has its perennial water problem.

"Nakikita ko na maraming problema ang mga tao sa Caloocan, lalo na ngayon," Nadia observes. "I decided to run to continue what Boy had started, to serve the people of Caloocan."

Nadia informs Boy has not been into politics for 12 years now. The former mayor is seeking for the mayoralty seat again this coming May elections, while Nadia is gunning for the congressional seat in the first district.

Nadia is undaunted with the latest decision that she made. This early, she has been getting a lot of threats, not just through text but also when others see her in person. "Sometimes, harap-harapan talaga, may banta sa ’kin," Nadia discloses. "Pero buo ang loob ko at desidido ako sa gagawin ko. I don’t give importance to those threats."

On March 14, Nadia is set to file her candidacy at the Comelec, going up against RJ Echeverri and incumbent Rep. Oscar Malapitan. She believes that as long as there will be honest and fair counting of election ballots, she has a big chance of winning.

Nadia admits she only finished high school and is a tyro when it comes to politics, but not when it comes to serving the people. "I really want to implement the program that I lined up for Caloocan," Nadia allows. "Walang pwedeng manira sa akin. They can say that I’m merely a showbiz personality, but that’s not the gauge to be able to serve. Nasa willingness mo ’yun at sincerity ng gagawin mo."

Nadia counts on the support of the people in Caloocan who have trusted her and Boy all these years. Her fellow showbiz stars and good friends in the biz also vowed to support her, something that overwhelms Nadia.

"Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa showbiz," Nadia asserts. "Doon ako galing but I left the business and gave up my career when I settled down and had a family. But now that I made another important decision in my life, nandyan pa rin ang mga kaibigan ko sa showbiz para tumulong sa akin."