Vanguards of Public Service

LOREN LEGARDA - Senator

The Filipino now is more aware of climate change and its adverse impact on their lives. Filipinos now acknowledge how vulnerable our country is to the destructive effects of climate change and I can see a lot of initiatives being undertaken in the local communities to pursue climate justice.

My dream for the country is for us to be uplifted from chronic poverty and enjoy sustainable development and the long elusive peace.

I am passionate about our artists exhibiting at the Venice Biennale after a long absence of 51 years because our participation serves as the voice of Filipino artists in the global contemporary art scene. The Venice Biennale is a significant avenue where we get to share our culture with the world.  Art is a form of cultural diplomacy and an enabler of a country’s development.  We should thus recognize its contribution to nation building and the important role of the arts in fostering patriotism and nationalism.

The place in the Philippines I love the most is Antique where the mountains meet the sea and where my grandmother was from. But I love every corner of this beautiful archipelago whose wealth of biodiversity needs to be protected.

When people ask me about Filipinos, I say that Filipinos are a resilient people who know how to smile amid diversity.

The one incident that made me realize I am in the right job was when people from the local and rural communities would come to me during my visits and express their appreciation for my work as senator — whether I authored a relevant law or pushed for the implementation of a social service program of the government or fund projects that directly benefit them.

I am inspired by how other developed countries are able to secure a high GDP growth while veering away from fossil fuels and embrace greater climate action through renewable energy.

What makes me happiest is seeing that the measures I have authored are being implemented well. I’ve been advocating initiatives on clean air, clean water, Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM), rainwater catchment facilities, renewable energy, and other measures that protect the environment and address climate change and disasters.

The thing I want my children to learn is the value of malasakit.  Both my sons have the traits of being compassionate, hard working and are imbued with passion and the right values. They were brought up not just to think of themselves but above all think of the people around them, especially those who are not fortunate to enjoy a comfortable life. I would like them to continue to cultivate this trait for them to have the chance to help and assist more people who are needy.

I balance public service and family time by making sure I spend time with my sons, my Nanay Fely, and my Papa — whether just having a simple dinner at home or just talking and bonding.

I would take a first-time visitor to the Philippines to visit the National Museum because for me culture and arts are the best communicators of history. 

Joy Belmonte - Vice Mayor, Quezon City

The Filipino now is challenged by the many choices that he/she needs to make that weigh heavily on the future of the country. These include the choice to embrace changes like Federalism and other proposed constitutional changes, like shifts in foreign alliances, like a change in values, etc.

My dream for my country is for its people to be able to work together in order to overcome all the obstacles that are hindering it from achieving its potential as the great nation God willed it to be.

What I love about the Philippines is its unpredictability.

What frustrates me about the Philippines is its inconsistency.

When people ask me about Filipinos, I say we are the selfie capital of the world.

The one incident that made me realize I am in the right job was when I woke up on July 1, 2010 (my first day of work) and I was excited to get up. Every day since then, I have felt the same way.

Quezon City is a place in which everybody seems to have a house but nobody seems to call it home. People in Quezon City still seem to identify with some other place, and this is because many of them are migrants who went here in order to pursue brighter futures. I believe my generation is the first one that thinks, feels and breathes Quezon City. 

I am inspired by individuals who defy convention in order to achieve a dream or an ideal that is larger than themselves.

I am happiest when I head home every day, having achieved everything I set out to do when I left home in the morning.

The things I want my son to learn are confidence, tolerance, respect, empathy, gratefulness, and a sense of duty to God, country, self and others.

I would take a first-time visitor to the Philippines to Payatas, then to Greenmeadows, so that they can understand the breadth and scope of life in the city I serve, and they can see why public servants like myself are so driven and, yes, obsessed with our work, and it is because we want to see the day when the gap between those that have more in life and those that have less, becomes smaller.

GRACE POE - Senator

The Filipino now is more cosmopolitan, modern, exposed to new cultures and Internet savvy.

My dream for the Philippines is to become a country where all Filipinos are able to lead full, productive, and happy lives in vibrant, livable, and peaceful communities.

The traits of a woman that I bring to my job are determination, compassion. I believe that a strong leader can and should also consult her followers. A public servant must be courageous and committed to one’s ideals, but must also be responsible and not foolhardy. A leader must be focused and determined, but must not sacrifice people in order to achieve goals.

I wish I had more time to organize my children’s closets; to cook; to travel and enjoy the beauty of our country at a more leisurely pace.

I am inspired by success stories of real people that I have been fortunate enough to meet. My Father’s legacy. My family and Mother’s guidance.

The things that make me happy are efficiently running trains, time with my children.

The things I want my children to learn are perseverance and fairness, and to find a career that they love.

My perfect day would be seeing the ordinary Filipino worker getting to work without the traffic stress.

We need more genuine and working public officials.

CYNTHIA VILLAR - Senator

The Filipino now is more involved in national issues and concerns. 

My dream for the country is to beat its poverty and unemployment problems. 

The traits of a woman that I bring to my job are hard work and persistence. 

When people ask me about Las Piñas, I say it’s home. 

I wish I had more time for more advocacies and projects. 

I am inspired by people who do their best despite the odds. 

The things that make me happy are my apos and knowing I made a difference in people’s lives. 

The things I want my children to learn are hard work, persistence and willingness to serve others. 

My perfect day would be one that allows me to complete all my tasks smoothly and successfully. 

We need more unity and cooperation. 

We need less political bickering and fake news. 

Lucy Torres-Gomez - Representative, 4th District of Leyte

The Filipino now is wounded but always happy and hopeful.

My dream for the country is for us to be  First World in every way that matters.

The traits of a woman that I bring to my job are mindfulness, compassion, sincerity.

When people ask me about Leyte and its people, I say we are strong, we are resilient, and that makes us beautiful as a people.

The hardest challenges I’ve faced as a politician  can be difficult on so many levels — personal, political, emotional. I try to take it a day at a time so that I do not feel overwhelmed.

I wish I had more time for the pursuit of my many little secret dreams (and there are many! )

I am inspired by simple joys.

The things that make me happy — it doesn’t take much and the list is so long.

The things I want my daughter Juliana to learn are conviction, discipline, prayerfulness, a gentle spirit even in chaos and in the presence of mean-spirited people.

My perfect day would be at home with my loved ones.

Abigail Binay - Mayor, Makati City

The Filipino now is empowered and eager. Empowered with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and of what he aspires to become. He is also eager to take part in a future where technological advancement is king, where skill is the greatest equalizer and poverty is not necessarily a deterrent to progress.

The traits of a woman that I bring to my job are 1) tenacity,  I fight for what I believe is right notwithstanding personal cost and sacrifice; 2) a sense of order and discipline. I cannot govern in disarray. There should always be a semblance of structure, a rhyme and reason to policy. I am a stickler for rules. 3) compassion, I can never look at death, injury or abuse in terms of cold numbers particularly when children are involved. Loss to me is real, it impacts lives. Parents grieve, children suffer.

Women mayors are different from men because as a woman, I am first and foremost a mother. I cannot look at children and not think of my own.

What I want people to know/experience about Makati is that we are aggressively moving towards a digital future. We are solving traditional problems by pursuing unconventional solutions.

The most misunderstood thing about my family is that we don’t value legacy. I am here precisely to continue what my father, the former VP Jojo Binay, started and to take his vision a step further.

What makes me realize I am in the right job is every time I would go home, literally ready to crawl into bed out of sheer exhaustion. There is rarely a not-so-busy workday in City Hall. Afterwards, I have to go to the different barangays for project inspections and weekly dialogues. Then I bring home this huge box of “homework.” Then I deal with criticism, the bashing and the never-ending politicking. But it is during these most difficult and trying times that I am reminded why I am here — to serve.

I am inspired by my daughter. She is such a keen observer that she takes note of my every word and action. To her, I am the best example there is, so I work my hardest to deserve her trust and respect.

The things that make me happy are life’s simplest pleasures like an afternoon with my daughter doing anything she wants. Netflix marathon with my husband. Good food enjoyed at home. Building Lego sets.

The things I want my child learn are humility and that privilege is fleeting, the exercise of power optional.

I would take a first-time visitor to the Philippines to Makati so that they can see the country’s vibrant financial district, taste the best local and fusion dishes in our Poblacion heritage site, experience our innovative public services, and most of all, feel the hospitality of our proud Makatizens.

Berna Romulo-Puyat - Secretary, Department of Tourism

The Filipino now is nationalistic, proud, creative, innovative, hardworking and the most caring as a people. 

My dream for the country is for everyone to work together for love of country regardless of political affiliation.

I would take a first-time visitor to the Philippines to Metro Manila if they are interested in museums and our history. If they want to go diving, I would take them to Palawan, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol and Camiguin. For surfing, Batangas, La Union and Baler and Siargao. For a food trip, I would take them to Pampanga, Bicol, Negros Oriental, Davao and even Isabela. If they they want to see our beautiful beaches, Boracay when it finally reopens this October. 

As a Filipino living here, it’s more fun in the Philippines because we have the most beautiful islands, a diverse and rich culture that is not only unique in Asia but in the whole world and we are without a doubt the most fun people in the world. 

The thing I want to do that other tourism secretaries didn’t is to intensify promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism. We have to boost tourism without harming the environment.

The most difficult challenges in my life was when I lost my husband eight years ago (he was only 42 years old when he died from a heart attack while playing football). It took me quite some time to get over his death. My daughter Maia was only 14 years old, and my son Vito was 13.

I am inspired by people who are willing to help the government pro bono all for  the love of our country.

The things that make me happy are my children, my family, my work and my closest friends. 

The things I am positive about for the country are we have become more nationalistic, proud of our own. We buy local, support local.

I want my children to learn that a good name is more important than money. You have to guard your reputation with your life.

The traits of a woman that I bring to this job are meticulousness; I’m detail-oriented and can also multi-task.

My perfect day in the Philippines, depending on my mood, can be at home, on a farm, by the beach or climbing a mountain enjoying the beauty of our country.