LEADERSHIP AND COMPASSION

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO

Known to many as first lady to then-Imus, Cavite Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi, Jelyn Maliksi has forged her way to politics by bringing her own style of engaging and dynamic leadership. Her experience as an active member of different socio-civic organizations and the support of the people of Imus paved the way for her to become part of the new set of city councilors.

Maliksi wants to focus on her advocacy of representing and empowering women, children, and the family; and to encourage them to participate in different community projects.

ENGAGING THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORK
Even before being elected as a city councilor, Maliksi had been active in doing volunteer work since 2007, being a member of different non-government organizations (NGOs). She is the charter president of the Inner Wheel Club of Mutya ng Imus and was president of the Rotary Club of Imus. She also served as part of
the board of directors of the Red Cross Cavite Chapter and has organized Maliksing Kababaihan, an organization that provides different support projects directed to women. She also spearheaded the Imus First Women Credit Cooperative, the first cooperative exclusively for women in Imus.

The neophyte councilor describes her brand of leadership as dynamic and engaging. She makes sure that she is involved in the activities of her organization as well as encouraging the people to be part of it. “I want to serve and enjoy the experiences together at the same time,” she says. She sees this as similar to being a servant leader as she actively participates in projects and chooses not to delegate to other people. All of these, on top of being a mother and wife.

PATH TO PUBLIC SERVICE
“I had a very simple childhood because I came from a simple family,” Maliksi recalls. Her mother was a real estate broker and her father, a jewelry designer. The second of four siblings remembers that her parents were very strict but is proud that they were protective of her and their family.

Maliksi describes herself as a shy girl and a late bloomer. She started modelling during her college days and was into beauty pageants where she met her husband, former Imus Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi. She participated in school activities a little later and came to enjoy the experience.

When asked how she became a public servant and if it was planned, she says, “I would say no. I did not plan, because if I did, I would have started a long time ago.” Comparing her experience with that of her husband’s, she says that she could have started while he was in his first or second term as Imus mayor but she’s a private person.

“Dumating lang ‘tong opportunity (This opportunity just presented itself), to be honest,” she says. She explains that the Serbisyong Maliksi brand of leadership which started from her father-in-law has been known and trusted by Imuseños, and paved the way to start her career in politics. Aside from that, she....