Miles Roces: Living out the legacy
September 13, 2006 | 12:00am
Miles Andrew Roces, dressed in the conservative barong tagalog he favors for work, looks like a banker. Or perhaps, on his days off and dressed down in jeans and a shirt, just another yuppie. But this isn’t a case of the clothes making the man. His choice of clothes does not reveal that, at 26, Miles was the youngest elected councilor to the third district of Manila. Or that, today, he is actually Congressman Miles Roces, representing his constituents in Congress.
His grandfather, Joaquin Roces, played a large role in Miles’ career choice. "I (saw myself in politics) because of my grandfather’s influence," he says. "He was the representative of our district for five consecutive terms, and our district was the center of all commerce in the city and the country– Avenida, Rizal, Escolta, Binondo, Quiapo and Sta. Cruz (made up) the original downtown and was the center of business."
His grandfather’s legacy is also reflected in Miles’ ultimate goal. "I (want to) bring my district back to where it was before – the biggest contributor to the city’s coffers." This ambitious goal is why most of his time is taken up by work. He has authored and co-authored city ordinances including the rehabilitation of commercial and historical spots; free elementary and high school education for Manila residents; the establishment of the City College of Manila; and reducing taxes on Filipino films shown in Manila theaters. He heads the Committee on Ecology and is a member of several others. He is involved in the rehabilitation of health centers, schools and roads, as well as various social services projects.
And perhaps lack of time and sheer busyness is why Miles takes no real interest in his wardrobe. "I follow some trends like rolling up my sleeves – but only on the advice of my wife. She’s more fashionable (than I am)," he says. He admits to shopping only when he travels, and his most memorable pair of jeans cost less than P500. "I decided to have jeans made in one of those tailoring shops near the underpass in Quiapo," he recalls. "The results were amazing – good fit, good style. And (it cost) only P350! I went back and ordered several more pairs. I still wear them up to now."
When the fashion triumvirate of Rajo Laurel, Rhett Eala and Patrice Diaz Ramos got ahold of Miles, they decided to stick with Miles’ rather laid-back attitude towards fashion, while adding a stylish twist that only these top three designers could pull off.
While Miles himself has never considered wearing an all-white ensemble, the designers decided to create several white-hot outfits for him. "Rajo and Rhett’s pieces make him look respectable despite the casualness of the clothes," says Patrice.
"Fashionable, yet dapper!" adds Rajo. The word "dapper" to describe Miles’ look is perhaps another fitting though oblique tribute to his grandfather – and the fashion of his grandfather’s time.
Yet while having grown up following his grandfather’s footsteps, Miles is set on forging his own path. He’s young, he’s good-looking, he has a lovely wife and three delightful kids, he works hard to keep his constituents happy and his district growing. One could say that Miles Roces has it all.
And when asked what it means to have it all, his answer is simple: "It means being content with what you have, because you can never really have everything."
Your name: Miles Roces
Your chief characteristic: Always trying to do everything.
Your favorite qualities in a man: Strong-willed.
Your favorite qualities in a woman: Supportive.
Your favorite qualities in friends: Always being there.
Your biggest flaw: Doing too many things all at the same time.
Your favorite occupation: Public service.
Your idea of happiness: Giving love and knowing you are loved.
Your idea of misery: Failure.
If not yourself, who would you be? Never wanted to be anybody other than me.
Where would you like to live? Anywhere by the sea.
Your favorite color and flower: Red, rose.
Your favorite prose authors: James Redfield.
Your favorite heroes in fiction: Jack Bauer (he saves the world in 24 hours).
Your favorite painters: Toti Cerda.
Your favorite heroes in real life: Ninoy Aquino.
Your favorite heroines in history: Mother Teresa.
Your favorite names: Maile, Jahia, Akio and Joaquin.
Your pet aversion: When people say things just to damage one’s reputation.
What characteristics of history do you most dislike? People who forget easily.
The military deed that you admire most: Loyalty to the flag.
The reforms you would appreciate the most: Strengthening local autonomy.
What gift from nature would you like to have? Cleaner air and water.
How would you like to die? I want to die with a good name so that I can leave a legacy for my family.
What is your present state of mind? I’m too preoccupied with so many things.
For what fault have you the most tolerance? When people fake working.
Your favorite motto: Follow what you believe in. – Based on the Marcel Proust Questionnaire
His grandfather, Joaquin Roces, played a large role in Miles’ career choice. "I (saw myself in politics) because of my grandfather’s influence," he says. "He was the representative of our district for five consecutive terms, and our district was the center of all commerce in the city and the country– Avenida, Rizal, Escolta, Binondo, Quiapo and Sta. Cruz (made up) the original downtown and was the center of business."
His grandfather’s legacy is also reflected in Miles’ ultimate goal. "I (want to) bring my district back to where it was before – the biggest contributor to the city’s coffers." This ambitious goal is why most of his time is taken up by work. He has authored and co-authored city ordinances including the rehabilitation of commercial and historical spots; free elementary and high school education for Manila residents; the establishment of the City College of Manila; and reducing taxes on Filipino films shown in Manila theaters. He heads the Committee on Ecology and is a member of several others. He is involved in the rehabilitation of health centers, schools and roads, as well as various social services projects.
And perhaps lack of time and sheer busyness is why Miles takes no real interest in his wardrobe. "I follow some trends like rolling up my sleeves – but only on the advice of my wife. She’s more fashionable (than I am)," he says. He admits to shopping only when he travels, and his most memorable pair of jeans cost less than P500. "I decided to have jeans made in one of those tailoring shops near the underpass in Quiapo," he recalls. "The results were amazing – good fit, good style. And (it cost) only P350! I went back and ordered several more pairs. I still wear them up to now."
When the fashion triumvirate of Rajo Laurel, Rhett Eala and Patrice Diaz Ramos got ahold of Miles, they decided to stick with Miles’ rather laid-back attitude towards fashion, while adding a stylish twist that only these top three designers could pull off.
While Miles himself has never considered wearing an all-white ensemble, the designers decided to create several white-hot outfits for him. "Rajo and Rhett’s pieces make him look respectable despite the casualness of the clothes," says Patrice.
"Fashionable, yet dapper!" adds Rajo. The word "dapper" to describe Miles’ look is perhaps another fitting though oblique tribute to his grandfather – and the fashion of his grandfather’s time.
Yet while having grown up following his grandfather’s footsteps, Miles is set on forging his own path. He’s young, he’s good-looking, he has a lovely wife and three delightful kids, he works hard to keep his constituents happy and his district growing. One could say that Miles Roces has it all.
And when asked what it means to have it all, his answer is simple: "It means being content with what you have, because you can never really have everything."
Your name: Miles Roces
Your chief characteristic: Always trying to do everything.
Your favorite qualities in a man: Strong-willed.
Your favorite qualities in a woman: Supportive.
Your favorite qualities in friends: Always being there.
Your biggest flaw: Doing too many things all at the same time.
Your favorite occupation: Public service.
Your idea of happiness: Giving love and knowing you are loved.
Your idea of misery: Failure.
If not yourself, who would you be? Never wanted to be anybody other than me.
Where would you like to live? Anywhere by the sea.
Your favorite color and flower: Red, rose.
Your favorite prose authors: James Redfield.
Your favorite heroes in fiction: Jack Bauer (he saves the world in 24 hours).
Your favorite painters: Toti Cerda.
Your favorite heroes in real life: Ninoy Aquino.
Your favorite heroines in history: Mother Teresa.
Your favorite names: Maile, Jahia, Akio and Joaquin.
Your pet aversion: When people say things just to damage one’s reputation.
What characteristics of history do you most dislike? People who forget easily.
The military deed that you admire most: Loyalty to the flag.
The reforms you would appreciate the most: Strengthening local autonomy.
What gift from nature would you like to have? Cleaner air and water.
How would you like to die? I want to die with a good name so that I can leave a legacy for my family.
What is your present state of mind? I’m too preoccupied with so many things.
For what fault have you the most tolerance? When people fake working.
Your favorite motto: Follow what you believe in. – Based on the Marcel Proust Questionnaire
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