All Hands on Deck

A PEEK INTO RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL MAYOR RONNIE EVANGELISTA’S DAILY ROUTINE, THE MOTIVATIONS BEHIND HIS CAREER SHIFTS, AND THE CHALLENGES OF TRANSITIONING FROM A DECORATED MILITARY OFFICER TO LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

In the small municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal still commonly known as Montalban, leadership has taken a unique turn under Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Ronnie Evangelista, a retired three-star general whose career spanned over three decades of military service. Those unfamiliar with Evangelista would often describe him as stern, unfazed, and realistic, but behind the facade is a thoughtful leader shaped by a strong military background. To his constituents, he is a leader who prioritizes their needs, greeting them with a smile that reveals a more personal side rarely seen by others.

From navigating the rigorous demands of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to commanding specialized units in conflict zones, Evangelista’s journey reflects a life dedicated to discipline, service, and resilience. Now, as the local chief executive of his hometown, he brings his battlefield-honed leadership style to the complexities of governance, balancing his military precision with the nuances of local politics.

 As mayor, Evangelista’s days are a constant f lurry of activity, marked by the dual demands of administrative work and addressing the pressing concerns of his municipality. “Everyday grind yan sa amin (For us, it is an everyday grind),” he shares. “We should be able to multitask while addressing the problem of our constituents. At the same time, you should also be able to do administrative work because otherwise, you cannot do it one at a time; you have to do it at the same time. That is the reality of being a mayor.”

FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCE

Both pragmatism and the indomitable force of circumstance mark Evangelista’s educational journey. From the halls of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to the prestigious PMA, Evangelista’s decisions were driven by necessity as much as by ambition. In his second year of engineering at UST, Evangelista faced a dilemma that many students from modest backgrounds know all too well. “Mahihirapan ako tapusin (It will be hard for me to finish),” he recalls, referring to the f inancial struggles that made it difficult to continue commuting from Rodriguez to his university in España, Manila. While his tuition was manageable, the daily expenses were becoming overwhelming. It was during this time that a classmate, already planning to take the entrance exam for PMA, suggested Evangelista join him. “Sabi niya samahan ko raw siya kasi pwede palang walk-in (He told me to come and join him because walk- ins are allowed).” Evangelista shares. With nothing to lose, he took the exam—and passed, though his classmate whom he accompanied did not.

At the time, Evangelista had no clear plan to enter the military. His understanding of PMA was minimal, and the decision to pursue it was not based on childhood dreams but rather on a practical response to a tough situation. However, when he received a telegram stating that he was a candidate for West Point, it became clear that his path was taking a new direction. “Kung pumasok ako dyan (If I entered),

I knew it would be a point of no return,” he reflects, emphasizing how big of a decision it was for him. It was a step, he notes, that had to come from himself—not from his parents or anyone else. Evangelista entered the PMA, where he would graduate four years later, not only with a degree but also with the discipline and mentality that would define his long career in the military. The decision to join PMA marked the start of a life dedicated to service, from his time in the field to his eventual retirement as a three-star general.

CALL OF DUTY

During his military career, Evangelista’s educational pursuits were far from over. His thirst for learning led him to the United States Special Forces training, where he achieved the rare honor of becoming one of the few Filipinos to graduate from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. His rigorous training in the U.S., which included enduring the grueling physical demands of carrying 115 pounds during exercises, was a true test of his mental and physical strength. “Walang hindi makakaya ang mga Pinoy (There’s nothing Filipinos can’t handle),” he says, citing his belief in the resilience and determination that define his countrymen. With over three decades of experience in the Philippine military, Evangelista’s leadership is influenced by his military background, especially his time in combat zones and special forces operations. As he reflects on his career, he highlights a few key moments that have shaped his approach to both leadership and life.

One of the most defining experiences early in Evangelista’s military career was his participation in a “baptism of fire” during his training as a Scout Ranger. He recalls being part of the first team from his entire class at the PMA to engage in combat. It was a critical moment for a young officer, and the experience impacted him. “First time mo maranasan yung ganoon, syempre hindi mo makakalimutan (It’s my first time to experience something like that, of course, you would not forget that),” he shares, recognizing that this first encounter was a formative experience that taught him valuable lessons.

 The challenges didn’t stop there. Evangelista spent much of his career in Mindanao, where he faced frequent danger. One of his most memorable moments was an ambush that he and his unit experienced. Evangelista also points to a particularly significant achievement during his time in Bohol, where he served as the battalion commander of the Special Forces. Bohol was once considered a stronghold of insurgency in the Visayas, but under Evangelista’s leadership, his unit helped clear the province of insurgents. “In three years, we cleared Bohol,” he says with pride, noting the positive impact it had on the local economy. According to him, before the insurgency was cleared, Bohol was one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. Afterwards, it saw significant improvements, especially in tourism, with revenues growing from Php20,000 to Php4 million annually. Evangelista points out that the clearing of insurgency helped boost Bohol’s economy.

STEPPING INTO BIGGER BOOTS

Although Evangelista’s military career was filled with high stakes operations, he never imagined running for political office. “Never did I imagine that I would run for any political position,” he admits. For most of his career, he had been critical of local politicians, particularly mayors, because of what he saw as their failure to support military operations effectively. Yet, years after retiring from the military, Evangelista began to see the value in applying the leadership principles he had learned to local governance.

 His decision to run for mayor of Rodriguez was driven by a combination of personal and practical reasons. “After 34 years of service elsewhere, I thought maybe this is my calling to serve in my own hometown,” he says. Although he had never been assigned to Rodriguez during his military career, he felt it was time to give back to the community that had supported and raised him. “I’ve seen other places progress through good governance, and I wanted to bring that same progress to Montalban.” he shares.

 Evangelista’s military background has influenced his approach to leadership as mayor. He believes the fundamental principles of leadership are universal, whether in the military or in politics. “In the military, you give an order, and you know it’s going to be executed. But here, as a mayor, you have to follow up constantly,” he says, citing the main differences between the two roles. As a military officer, Evangelista was used to immediate feedback and execution of orders, but as mayor, he had to deal with the slower pace of political processes, where follow-ups were often necessary to ensure progress but like what he was used to, he always gave feedback and resolutions.

One of the more significant challenges he faced as a local chief executive was adjusting to a more public lifestyle. “At f irst, I asked myself if I needed to change my leadership style, my demeanor,” he admits. The military culture, where smiling was discouraged, stood in stark contrast to the political world, where being approachable and friendly is often expected. “Sa military, bawal ngumiti, pero sa politics, kailangan laging nakangiti (In the military, smiling is forbidden, but in politics, you must always smile).” he points out, recognizing the shift in attitude required to navigate the political world. Despite these adjustments, he chose to remain true to the leadership principles that guided him in the military. “I didn’t change my leadership style because I believe the basic principles of leadership are the same, whether in the military or politics,” he says.

 Evangelista admits that he does miss aspects of his military life. “I miss wearing the uniform,” he says. He even participated in a skydiving jump during the 2023 Araw ng Montalban celebration, proving that part of him still connects with his past life in the military. Despite these contrasts, he notes that public service remains the common thread that unites both careers. Evangelista’s journey from military officer to local chief executive may have seemed unconventional, but it is rooted in the same principles of service, leadership, and commitment.

BUILDING MONTALBAN TOGETHER

A cornerstone of Evangelista’s administration is addressing the growing housing needs of Montalban. The local government recently launched a 420-unit housing project in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Pag-IBIG Fund. This project aims to provide affordable housing for residents, with each 30-square-meter unit priced at Php1.3 million. Evangelista believes this vertical housing development is essential as horizontal expansion consumes valuable land, especially in a municipality with increasing urbanization.

In addition to housing, public safety remains a critical concern in Montalban, particularly regarding illegal drugs and crime. To combat this, the local government launched the Task Force Anti-Criminality Quick Reaction Force earlier last year. The initiative has resulted in the arrest of over 90 individuals and the seizure of drugs worth approximately Php6.3 million. Evangelista emphasizes that the success of such efforts hinges on community participation. “Ang ini encourage ko kasi ay it has to be participated in by the

constituents. Kung manggagaling lang kasi sa amin, hindi kakayanin (What I’m encouraging is that it has to be participated in by the constituents. If it only comes from us, it won’t be enough),” he noted. He believes that active community involvement is key to ensuring public safety.

Environmental concerns also weigh heavily on the mayor’s agenda. Montalban has faced significant flooding in the past, but the Upper Wawa Dam, which is still impounding water from nearby rivers, has played a key role in reducing the impact of storms recently. Despite this, quarrying remains a sensitive issue in the municipality due to its environmental effects. While the industry provides materials needed for national infrastructure projects, it also leads to the destruction of natural landscapes. Evangelista is committed to finding a balanced approach that supports development without compromising Montalban’s natural beauty. “It should be regulated, dapat mai-balance natin yung development at the same time ma-preserve ang natural resources (We need to balance these developments at the same time, preserve our natural resources),” he said.

Economic development is another priority for Evangelista. The municipality is home to a large population of informal settlers who face challenges with unemployment. While there are no major industries or factories in the municipality, the mayor sees potential in developing the area’s natural resources for eco-tourism. Montalban’s mountains, rivers, and natural trails make it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the lack of proper accommodations and tourism infrastructure has slowed the area’s growth in this sector. Evangelista is working to address this gap, though he acknowledges that tourism development is a long-term process. “Montalban is the most accessible nature trip from Metropolis, I believe we will get there in due time,” he said. Aside from this, they are also working on improving infrastructure around the area with a public cemetery, new municipal hall, and health center already in construction.

However, the mayor is aware that large-scale projects often require continuity across terms, and much of the groundwork laid during his first term will not be completed unless he is reelected. This challenge of transitioning between leaderships is something that Evangelista recognizes, as political shifts can disrupt momentum for ongoing initiatives. With the upcoming elections, Evangelista is seeking another term to continue the projects he has initiated. He believes that his first term has been primarily focused on laying the groundwork for future development, but many of the larger initiatives, such as the new municipal hall and other infrastructure projects, will require more time to complete. Without continuity, these projects could be at risk of stalling, and Evangelista is committed to ensuring that Montalban continues on its path of growth. “It takes time maging full swing ang governance mo, dapat inward looking ka muna bago ka maging outward looking, kaya kinakailangan talaga na tumawid tayo ng second term para yung mga projects natin ay maging full swing (Governance takes time to gain full momentum. You need to focus inwardly f irst before looking outward, which is why securing a second term is crucial for our projects to fully take off),” he explained.

Rodriguez (Montalban) is a municipality facing both significant challenges and promising opportunities. As Mayor Evangelista looks toward reelection, his focus remains on providing affordable housing, ensuring public safety, fostering economic growth by providing employment and preserving the environment. “Sa ating mga kababayan from Montalban (to our beloved citizens of Montalban), the best is yet to come.” He shared. “Sabi nga nila ‘all hands on deck’, tulong-tulong po tayong lahat para sa pag asenso ng Montalban at para narin po sa bawat isa satin especially sa mga pamilya natin. (As they say, ‘all hands on deck’—we must work together for the progress of Montalban and for each one of us, especially for our families)” He adds. With the support of the community, Mayor Evangelista is confident that Rodriguez (Montalban) can navigate these issues and emerge stronger in the years to come. While he may no longer be on the front lines, his leadership continues to be informed through local governance. For him, public service is still about serving the people, whether on the battlefield or in the local government office.

I’VE SEEN OTHER PLACES PROGRESS THROUGH GOOD GOVERNANCE, AND I WANTED TO BRING THAT SAME PROGRESS TO MONTALBAN.

AS MAYOR EVANGELISTA LOOKS TOWARD REELECTION, HIS FOCUS REMAINS ON PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY, FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT, AND PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT.