Always for the People

Marikina 2nd District Councilor Joel Relleve was always passionate about helping people, thus, he became a doctor. Even as a pre-medicine student, he was always a natural leader, but entering politics was never in the cards. Little did he know, years later, he would find his calling as a public servant.

THE SPARK THAT STARTED IT ALL
Relleve, who was born and raised in Atimonan, Quezon, describes himself as a “typical probinsyano.” Although not the youngest of four siblings, Relleve has always felt as if he were the bunso (youngest) in the family, being the last of the Relleve children to finish his studies as a medical doctor.

He took his time pouring in work to establish his own career. While he was focused on being a young medical doctor, he also spent his free time taking gigs as a singer. In one of the events Relleve performed in back in 2010, he met former Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz by chance, and Dr. Cadiz somehow took a liking to him. After knowing he’s also a doctor, Dr. Cadiz reached out to Relleve trying to convince him to work with him. “Ang offer niya sa‘kin [was] (His offer was for me) to manage all his private clinics,” Relleve shares.

Relleve didn’t even know that Dr. Cadiz had served as vice mayor then. The politician would often call him to ask where he was and suggest meeting as he had a “proposal.” Months later, Dr. Cadiz’s persistence finally bore fruit and Relleve met with him personally in Marikina City. It was only when Dr. Cadiz invited his
fellow doctor into ........