Governors SURIGAO DEL NORTE GOVERNOR ROBERT LYNDON BARBERS For The Love of Surigao Del Norte With or without a position, Barbers is always there for the people of Surigao del Norte because public service is all about will, not political titles. GOVERNOR RAPHAELLE “RAFY” ORTEGA-DAVID Rising to the CHALLENGE Pressure is high for La Union Governor Raphaelle “Rafy” Ortega-David, but she is confidently stepping up to the plate and is ready to serve the Elyu-canos. Governor Albert Garcia Bataan, Standing Tall and Proud Governor Albert Garcia tells us how he is leading the historic province of Bataan towards unity and progress Governor Susan Yap All roads lead to Tarlac in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games. In this interview, Governor Susan Yap tells us how she’s preparing the Province of Tarlac for the big league and how she’s planning to address future challenges. Full Steam Ahead GOV. REBECCA 'NINI' YNARES THE RIGHT WAY The culture of excellence prevails over the province of Rizal, three-time winner of the National Competitiveness Council's Most Competitive Province Award Governor Eduardo Gadiano Occidental Mindoro’s chief rises to the challenge. “Kung kaya sa Sablayan, kaya sa buong lalawigan,” he says. RISING FROM THE DIRT GOVERNOR GWEN GARCIA ACTION, NOT WORDS Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on taking the province of Cebu to higher ground by empowering the grassroots movement, building up tourism, and leading with no-nonsense politics. GOVERNOR FRANCIS “CHIZ” ESCUDERO Sorsogon’s Son Returns Governor Chiz Escudero talks about revitalizing agriculture through contract farming, tackling organizational inefficiencies, and preventing health epidemics

BACK AMBASSADOR DR. TITANILLA TOTH For Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Titanilla Tóth, the Philippines’ bond with Western countries, especially Hungary, is a great advantage that should be strengthened. Helen Hernane Photography by Manuel Generoso On September 28, 1973, diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Hungary were officially established. Nearly two decades later, the two countries inaugurated embassies in Manila and Budapest. But in 1995, the Hungarian Embassy’s activities in the Philippines were suspended. The reopening of their embassy in Manila in 2016 was a major milestone for both countries and saw the signing of an important agreement on economic cooperation. This led to the founding of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation. Beyond history and papers, however, Hungary has been true to their word and has helped our country in certain areas of cooperation—education, agriculture, science and technology (S&T), innovation, culture, and sports.

Vice Governors PANGASINAN VICE GOVERNOR MARK RONALD LAMBINO Always Ready and Able to Deliver The once reluctant candidate is proof that given a clear vision and an appropriate leadership style, even a late bloomer can bring about significant change. CAVITE VICE GOVERNOR ATHENA BRYANA TOLENTINO A Beautiful Game Knowing the importance of careful planning, this young leader prepares for her projects the way a professional chess player would approach a crucial game. Masbate Vice Governor Jo Kristine ‘Kaye’ Celera-Revil Making Masbate Competitive Masbate Vice Governor Jo Kristine ‘Kaye’ Celera-Revil is determined to stomp out poverty and violence and uphold peace, progress, and positivity VICE GOVERNOR MARK LEVISTE Through Trials & Triumph FROM BATANGAS’ TAAL ERUPTION LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR’S ONGOING PANDEMIC, BATANGAS STANDS STRONG THANKS TO VICE GOVERNOR MARK LEVISTE’S PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP.

For the Children BY HELEN HERNANE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO As an expectant mother, Congresswoman Cha Hernandez is focused on making sustainable, long-term improvements for the city—progress that would benefit current and future generations. At eight months pregnant, Congresswoman Charisse Anne “Cha” Hernandez-Alcantara of Calamba, Laguna understands that many expect her to rest and not strain herself too much with work. Hernandez also admits that she finds it somewhat difficult to juggle public service and carrying a child, especially during the third trimester. But she fervently believes that every child, including hers, is a blessing and also, a lucky charm, as many people have often told her. “During my campaign, I would go around every day and meet people face to face from morning to night,” she recalls. “And I think [me being pregnant] solidified my message that I am just like them. My situation reflects most women’s lives; I’m not the first woman working at eight months pregnant.” Not even a month after the elections, Hernandez is already out and about, connecting with one sector after another. LEAGUE trailed after the newly-elected congresswoman who spent the entire morning listening to farmers, who launched a seminar, and the fisherfolk, who held a boodle fight with her for lunch. Her arrival and presence in each meeting lacked the pomp and circumstance often associated with political bigwigs. On the contrary, her simple outfit, visible baby bump, and calm, caring voice (with a forceful undertone) made her appear less of a politician and more of an ordinary Filipino mother. CALAMBA’S FUTURE Pregnancy, the congresswoman shares, also gives her a different sense of focus that helps push her forward in striving for a better City of Calamba. Her internal motivation is to create a clean, thriving city for her son and for others of his generation to inherit. “Also, I want my children to be proud of me, that someday they could say that I did my best and worked hard even while pregnant. I want them to be proud of the city we helped build when they grow up, to have people tell my children that I did my best as a public servant. I think that’s one good motivation for me,” the neophyte congresswoman reveals. Hernandez, however, also had big plans for Calamba even prior to her winning the seat in Congress. As a councilor, her vision was mostly fixing the major issues that the city faced—traffic, environment, waste management, and more. While her current position enables her to improve the city.... BUY THE LATEST ISSUE HERE BACK CONTACT US We are always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. info@league.ph 0915 239 8547

MARTIN ROMUALDEZ TABLE OF CONTENTS BUY MAGAZINE NOW! FOR FREE! FEATURES MAYOR ALELI CONCEPCION BY NOVIE ROSE O. NUÑEZ From lawyer to public servant, the young mayor shares how she chose to widen her impact by serving the people of Balaoan, La Union. Read more FEATURES AMBASSADOR DR. TITANILLA TÓTH BY HELEN HERNANE The seasoned ambassador ensures that Hungary is a partner who will help push the country forward. Read more GOOD GOVERNANCE REP. MARTIN ROMUALDEZ BY MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN While House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez grew up primed for the life of a politician, his heart is that of a public servant. Read more GOOD GOVERNANCE USEC. GERALD BANTAG BY MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General ensures that the agency has been reformed for the benefit of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Read more REGULARS BARANGAY CONNECTION Local barangay officials are providing solutions with projects to uplift their communities. Read more REGULARS SPEAK YOUR MIND What is your message to the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz? Read more LEGAL OPINION COVID-19 VACCINATION IN THE PHILIPPINES IS IT A CHOICE or AN OBLIGATION? Read more

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BACK ‘ACTION, NOT WORDS’ Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on taking the Province of Cebu to higher ground by empowering the grassroots movement, building up tourism, and leading with no-nonsense politics A festive medley of Cebuano songs and dances welcomes Gwendolyn Garcia at the stakeholders meeting in Brgy. Bojo, Aloguinsan on a midweek morning in October. The first woman (and now the longest serving) governor of the province is clearly prepared for action—clad in jeans, rubber shoes, and a plain blue blouse. A portable air purifier dangles around her neck. With her at the event are some LGU officials— Aloguinsan Mayor Ignatius Moreno and Vice Mayor Raisa Moreno, two board members, Trade and Industry Asec. Asteria Caberte, and Tourism Regional Director Shalimar Tamano. Her 30-minute speech, almost entirely in Cebuano, is jovial and lighthearted, peppered with jokes in between. Her lively voice, energetic hand gestures, and animated facial expressions are enough to make even a non-Cebuano speaker chuckle. At that instant, we see the soft side of Cebu’s Iron Lady that perhaps is unknown to many. After the Bojo River Cruise, the governor visits three more locations within Aloguinsan— to inaugurate a cemented road and a constructed bridge. The heat is draining and most people are visibly tired but the seasoned Governor isn’t breaking a sweat. She smiles and talks to the people around her, repeatedly offering them snacks. Her energy and vigor are amazing. Later in the afternoon, the LEAGUE team meets with the governor again at her rest house in Pinamungajan. She speaks candidly, saying she prefers to shun media interviews. “Been there, done that,” she tells the team nonchalantly. “What I want you to highlight in your feature is Cebu.” She tells us that her trip to Aloguinsan earlier that day was intended to boost its tourism. “During my first term as governor, I realized tourism was focused mainly on Cebu City and Mactan Island,” she recalls. “And yet my having gone around the province proved that there are so many other beautiful sites. So I defined the direction of tourism, focusing on our culture and our heritage.” The lady chief points out the importance of cultural mapping in harnessing the full potential of the province— that is, identifying the heritage sites, relics, and structures that they have to develop, and organizing their festivals in accordance with the legend of their towns and their key products. The governor mentions the Cebu Provincial Government’s “Suruy-Suroy Sugbo” tourism program encapsulating this idea. “You stop at every town and, at every stop, you eat. You watch their festivals, you look at their handicrafts and their delicacies,” she says. But in order to succeed in this program, she knows the importance of focusing first on building their tourism infrastructure. That is why, during her initial nine-year term as governor, she asphalted the roads and converted all the wooden bridges to concrete. This is the reason, she says, she is well-loved by people in Bantayan and Camotes Islands. “I would personally visit these islands to check the developments,” she tells us. GOING BACK TO GOVERNORSHIP If Gov. Gwen can have her way, she would have wanted to continue her term at the House of Representatives, where she had an outstanding performance for two consecutive terms as congresswoman of the 3rd District of Cebu. She was also the very first woman to be elected Deputy Speaker for the Visayas. She had authored 28 bills and co-authored 64 bills and resolutions throughout her stint, addressing the improvement of the tourism industry and protection of the environment, poverty alleviation, improvement of transportation, sports and youth development, improvement of our criminal justice system, and economic development. The list of infrastructure problems she had completed during her term was nothing short of impressive: almost 1,000 classrooms built; over 30 kilometers of national roads concreted, 15 kilometers of farm-to-market roads concreted; 10 bridges retrofitted, six district hospitals upgraded, 37 health facilities built and 23 flood control projects constructed, 30 multi-purpose buildings constructed, and more. But the hardworking former congresswoman says she couldn’t ignore the people’s call for her to bring back the province of Cebu to its old glory. And by that, it’s not merely being on top of the “Richest Province” list in terms of assets, but really allowing the people even in the far-flung barangays to feel this benefit. The total assets of the province, as of their last reappraisal, now stand at P202 billion. “But what will it mean to someone living in Brgy. Zaragoza or Rosario or Bojo, or Cantabugon?” she asks rhetorically. “When I was governor for the first nine years, I asphalted all of the roads there, because that’s all we could afford back then. Now, my target is to finish concreting all the 880km of provincial and barangay roads. So that’s about at 100km per year [if I get to complete my three terms as governor],” she says. The lady governor says there are also misplaced priorities she can’t ignore. She cites an example: “When you enter the capitol, may magandang heritage garden dyan. The previous administration wanted to put a P1.2 billion, 22-story building. Ilo-loan pa gyud. E magagamit ba ng taga Aloguinsan yan? Is it going to help people from here? I had to fight that. People were begging me to run. So I ran against [Agnes] Magpale, who was my vice governor before.” RUNNING A GOVERNMENT LIKE A CEO When Gov. Gwen first ran for governor in 2004, many expressed doubts in her capacity to lead because she had not held any government position prior. “Kahit man lang barangay kapitan,” the naysayers would opine. But she tells LEAGUE that she never doubted herself in that aspect because, at that time, she had 20 years of experience already running her own businesses, which ranged from construction, equipment rental, running a port, security services, and general services. “Running a government is like running a business,” she points out. “It demands efficiency, and efficiency translates to quality service, which will in turn benefit the people.” She continues, “Just like running a business, you have to know how to multitask and understand every facet of it—from human resources to budgeting. And your goal is to continually enhance your business. Similarly, that is also your end-goal in running a government, to improve the lives of the people.” Like a CEO, she would regularly meet the department heads and the latter would report their accomplishments to her. “They have to review their presentation multiple times because I am so OC (obsessive compulsive); I can see a mistake immediately,” she says, holding a smile. Also, her team can’t be sitting on their jobs, lest they’d be embarrassed not to have anything to report during the meeting. In government, budgeting is very important. Fortunately, she earned her training in that area when she served as a consultant under the administration of former Mayor of Ormoc, Eufrocino “Dodong” Codilla, who was her ex-father-in-law. “The budget officer there taught me everything—the budget, the continuing appropriation, the five-year-development plan, etc. I know all that,” she says. For three years, she also served as a consultant to her own father, Pablo “Pabling” Garcia, who previously served as governor of Cebu. “Kaya I never felt inadequate when I won as governor. That was the least of my worries because I knew what I could do. And I immediately defined the direction that we will take,” she shares. A WOMAN FOR THE JOB The limitations of the Cebuano language and culture have the propensity to shape people’s characterization of the sexes, says the lady governor. “In the English language, feistiness implies strength, and we usually use it to describe a woman. In Cebuano, the equivalent term we use for men is maldito—meaning, magaling. But if we use maldita for the women, it would have a negative connotation,” the governor points out. Cebuanos also have a maledominated culture as can be gleaned from the history of its government. “We have rajas and datus, and the queen would always be second,” she says. Even so, Gov. Gwen never had a dichotomized appreciation of gender while she was growing up. “I was never told that ‘If you are a female, you could only do this.’ My mom and dad would always tell me, ‘You can do this, Gwen!’” The eldest among eight children of former Gov. Pablo Garcia admits she initially didn’t have the inclination to run for public office. “I hated politics,” she admits to LEAGUE. She hated the fact that it was intruding their private time as a family. In his government stints, the older Garcia had served as vice-governor of Cebu from 1969 to 1971; as representative of District 3 of Cebu from 1987 to 1995, and District 2 of Cebu (2007- 2013): and as governor from 1995- 2004. Her dad used to accept a lot of visitors in their home. “I would wake up one day, and I would see a stranger at our breakfast table,” she recalls. Little did she know that she would one day plunge into politics as well. “During my dad’s third term, he asked me to serve as his consultant. At that time, I just finished my first year at UP Law,” she remembers. She knew it was because she had already served as a consultant to her ex-father-in-law, Mayor Codilla, during his term from 1992 to 1996. The eldest child eventually relented to the request of her dad. Her plan was to help him for a year, and then go back to pursuing her dream to become a lawyer. But that didn’t happen. Public service rubbed off on her. She fulfilled her functions—as consultant on financial affairs, assisting her father in expanding the province’s resources, and later on, instituting various reforms at the Cebu Provincial Capitol as a Consultant on Systems Promotion and Development. For her strong leadership, she earned the monikers “Super Gwen,” the “little governor,” and the “Iron Lady.” After serving as a consultant for her dad, she was asked to run as vice governor. She instead decided to take the higher road and run as governor. “I was fatalistic about it. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, I think you want me to run for governor. But if I read you wrong, it’s okay. If I lose, it’s okay.

House Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez MAN OF THE HOUSE The congressman talks about how he was primed for public service and how he is navigating the intricacies of his legislative duties through the pandemic. BUY MAGAZINE NOW by Maan D'Asis Pamaran Photography by Jar Concengco L ike many children, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez grew up observing his father, Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, at work. It just so happened that his father’s occupation came with the responsibility of leading the province of Leyte as governor, and eventually representing the country as ambassador to the U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia. “We were very much exposed at an early age, seeing my father, outside the house, in the field, either at the provincial capitol, or eventually, at the respective embassies where he served. So, we saw him with his constituents and with his colleagues in the embassies, so that definitely made us focus on a life of public service,” the proud son reminisces. By observing not only his father, but also his uncles, grand-uncles, and other relatives, Romualdez received his early education in public service and avers that, while their clan was perceived to be powerful, they were in touch with the masses. “We learned that the priority was just not to be inward-looking, but also outward-looking, aware of those around us and those who may need more than we do. “We’ve been blessed in many ways, and so we were always taught to look out for others, and to uplift the lives of others who are not similarly fortunate or as blessed. So that was something that was instilled in us.” Romualdez’s own exposure through joining the Kabataang Barangay, a precursor of today’s Sangguniang Kabataan, propped his vision to serve. “When this was founded in the mid-‘70s, it was definitely a popular movement that gave a sense of purpose and direction to a lot of the youth and there was a lot of value formation in the whole Kabataang Barangay institution. We were very blessed and happy to be part of that, and to lead, not just the Municipality of Tolosa, but the Provincial Federation of Leyte.” That experience introduced him to like-minded young leaders, he says, many of whom he now sees in the halls of Congress or in the local government unit (LGU) offices of their provinces. An advocacy from earlier days has led to what he calls one of his biggest accomplishments in Congress thus far, the bill on the amendment of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability (PWDs). “Here, we basically rationalized and made uniform the benefits and the privileges that persons with disability would have, similar to that of senior citizens. We felt that that went a long way in helping our PWDs.” He shares the reason why he made this his cause. “I’ve been exposed to a relative who also was afflicted with some disabilities and that led me to volunteering in East Providence, Rhode Island, near where I studied for my preparatory school in the United States. There, I worked with children with disabilities. Then, I came up with a coffee table book and that definitely helped in developing my interest in helping the less fortunate and marginalized.” CALMNESS AMIDST CALAMITY His biggest challenge was facing the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda in his province back in 2013. He shares, “When [Typhoon] Yolanda struck us, everyone felt hopeless, almost in despair. There was like an exodus.” A lot of people wanted to leave because there seemed to be nothing left, not just in Tacloban, but in the better part of the region of the Eastern Visayan area, where the typhoon struck. “Everyone just wanted to leave. There was no power, no utilities, and no signal. Basic services were all crippled.” Somehow, somewhere, he says, he found faith in God and found solace in the fact that this too will come to pass. “I just had to remain hopeful through all the sadness and trauma.” What bolstered his faith was the outpouring of help, which he describes as an immediate, spontaneous inflow of support from the nearby provinces. “That definitely boosted the morale of the Leyteños and the Samareños who were initially the hardest hit by [Typhoon] “ INSTEAD OF BEING DESPONDENT, LOSING HOPE, AND BEING IN DESPAIR—JUST LIKE DURING YOLANDA, WE HAVE TO SEE HOW WE CAN CONVERT THIS MOMENT INTO AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOOD FOR OTHERS.” Yolanda. That, coupled with the international aid that was flowing in. That basically inspired us and uplifted us. It really rallied us to keep the faith and remain hopeful.” The experience led him to support the formation of a Department of Disaster Resilience, which he explains as something akin to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U.S. “After Yolanda, we were told about these best practices and protocols that other countries have. So this is not just a council that coordinates the existing Cabinet portfolios as with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), but a dedicated agency or department with its respective budget for the immediate response to any disaster, and the preparation and the preemptive measures that can be undertaken. We need someone who’s there on a dedicated basis because, as you know, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world in terms of very difficult typhoons, earthquakes, and more recently, volcanic activities that wreak havoc on the communities.” THE VOICE OF THE MAJORITY Now, as majority floor leader of the House of Representatives, Romualdez also has the task of prioritizing measures to help Filipinos through the pandemic, particularly through the budget hearings that are crucial to ensuring funds for the country’s recovery. He is especially focused on how Filipinos can overcome these challenges, as he himself tested positive for the Coronavirus in March 2021. Of the experience, he says, “I saw how difficult it was to be isolated, especially when you’re diagnosed with COVID-19. You don’t have as much interaction, and it aggravates your situation because your morale goes down. You derive a lot of strength and inspiration from having your wife and your children around you all the time. This becomes limited because of quarantine protocols. Malaking sakripisyo, that’s why we’re hoping that humupa na itong pandemya. Talagang agrabyado lahat dito, hindi lang yung kalusugan ng tao, pati ang ekonomiya ng bayan (It’s a huge sacrifice, that’s why we’re hoping that this pandemic will end soon. Everything and everyone is aggrieved, not just people’s health, but also the country’s economy).” He says that while the position of majority floor leader was not something he sought out, he accepted the challenge, grateful for the trust and honor that was given to him by his peers in Congress. “The work that it entails is actually beyond your scope of focus or concern as a district congressman. You’re usually focused on your respective district, in your province, and you try to just limit yourself to that. So, all of a sudden, from focusing on your district, you have to be attuned to the concerns of the other congressmen’s areas of responsibility—their districts, their jurisdictions, and their advocacies, as well. You have to be ready to accept and embrace all of that.” In his capacity, he helps to direct the discussions on the floor, and he says it is no easy task. “Here you’ve got to be a little bit more knowledgeable of everything, because that seems to be the order of the day. You set the agenda, you set the flow, and you prioritize. You manage the floor in terms of what do you take up first, which measure is going to be sponsored, which one will be interpellated, and which one will be prioritized.” Despite the limitations brought about by the pandemic, Romualdez happily reports that things are on track. “We’ve used technology and we’ve made it as efficient as possible. We are actually achieving record measures. The House of Representatives has actually generated more legislation than the previous Congress.” Online meetings have helped to move things along. “We’ve become very, very efficient, and thorough, nonetheless, because the ability for us to even meet more often via Zoom facilitates fast-tracking decision-making. We still miss the personal interaction among our fellow legislators and with the stakeholders. But nonetheless, under the circumstances, and the limitation of the protocols from these quarantines that we have, we’ve been able to manage and we’ve been able to do the job well.” One thing he is mindful of as part of the majority is the minority’s voice, and he gives an idea of how they fit into the grand scheme of things. “I start every Rules Committee meeting with the statement, ‘In this Congress, the minority is the priority,’ because while they might comprise about only 10% of the House, their presence—by tradition—is always required. We always wait for them, and they actually help us to ‘fiscalize’ the House.” He reveals that the minority voices are actually the most dominant and get about 90% of the “airtime” during budget deliberations. Perhaps due to his track record, Romualdez was touted as a possible vice presidential candidate by President Rodrigo Duterte. “It came to me as a great surprise—a pleasant one at that. I’m 30 LEAGUE very grateful, as well as honored and humbled at the same time. Similar to the majority leader position, it was something that I wasn’t really thinking of.” “For the President to believe that I have the capability or the capacity to actually fill that position is definitely a great honor and definitely a big challenge. To be honest, it’s still something that I have to deliberate over… I will consult the constituency, the party, and the other leaders whom I respect before I throw my hat into the elections.” With only a few more months before the start of the campaign period, Romualdez is focused on his family, which is always his top priority. “Without them, the inspiration to serve the constituency and the country may not be as readily apparent.” His wife, Yedda, is also in Congress, representing the party-list group Tingog Sinirangan. “And it’s great to have her there, because she has a deeper understanding of the work that I initially got into. Now that she’s more involved, she knows what’s going on, so we understand one another. We discuss, but never heatedly, at home. I learn a lot from her, in her own advocacies.” The couple also make sure that their children are given as much time as possible, particularly now that they’re able to spend a lot of time at home, working out of the house. “We get to see the children, maybe more so than they want to see us,” he grins. As with his experience with natural disasters and other health crises, he sees the current situation with a glimmer of hope. “There’s a Chinese saying that sheds light on how to turn crisis into opportunity. So definitely, we are all in this crisis and we have to take advantage of it. Instead of being despondent, losing hope and being in despair—just like during [Typhoon] Yolanda, we have to see how we can convert this moment into an opportunity to do good for others. I think our collective and personal experiences of this COVID-19 pandemic has made us want to strive to become better people, despite the challenges.” The way Filipinos come together in difficult circumstances is a point of pride, he underscores. “When [Typhoon] Yolanda struck, I was very proud that our countrymen jumped in to help us recover. All the Filipinos from different regions came over to help us, completely spontaneous. The spirit of altruism, compassion, and malasakit, was so evident. It inspired us all.” Now faced with another crisis, the country is tested once again. “What makes this time different is that it is not just nationwide, but it’s global,” he adds. “What we Filipinos need now is more patience and more unity. We need more inspiration to carry on, to band as one country, as a people, and to uplift the spirits of those who have been afflicted and affected by COVID-19.” Romualdez indeed aims to inspire hope. “We just have to realize and have faith in God that we will overcome and that we will succeed. We will bounce back stronger than ever before!” In his capacity, he helps to direct the discussions on the floor, and he says it is no easy task. “Here you’ve got to be a little bit more knowledgeable of everything, because that seems to be the order of the day. You set the agenda, you set the flow, and you prioritize. You manage the floor in terms of what do you take up first, which measure is going to be sponsored, which one will be interpellated, and which one will be prioritized.” Despite the limitations brought about by the pandemic, Romualdez happily reports that things are on track. “We’ve used technology and we’ve made it as efficient as possible. We are actually achieving record measures. The House of Representatives has actually generated more legislation than the previous Congress.” Online meetings have helped to move things along. “We’ve become very, very efficient, and thorough, nonetheless, because the ability for us to even meet more often via Zoom facilitates fast-tracking decision-making. We still miss the personal interaction among our fellow legislators and with the stakeholders. But nonetheless, under the circumstances, and the limitation of the protocols from these quarantines that we have, we’ve been able to manage and we’ve been able to do the job well.” One thing he is mindful of as part of the majority is the minority’s voice, and he gives an idea of how they fit into the grand scheme of things. “I start every Rules Committee meeting with the statement, ‘In this Congress, the minority is the priority,’ because while they might comprise about only 10% of the House, their presence—by tradition—is always required. We always wait for them, and they actually help us to ‘fiscalize’ the House.” He reveals that the minority voices are actually the most dominant and get about 90% of the “airtime” during budget deliberations. Perhaps due to his track record, Romualdez was touted as a possible vice presidential candidate by President Rodrigo Duterte. “It came to me as a great surprise—a pleasant one at that. I’m LEAGUE Magazine Sept 2021 INSIDE.indd 30 09/09/2021 12:28:22 pm very grateful, as well as honored and humbled at the same time. Similar to the majority leader position, it was something that I wasn’t really thinking of.” “For the President to believe that I have the capability or the capacity to actually fill that position is definitely a great honor and definitely a big challenge. To be honest, it’s still something that I have to deliberate over… I will consult the constituency, the party, and the other leaders whom I respect before I throw my hat into the elections.” With only a few more months before the start of the campaign period, Romualdez is focused on his family, which is always his top priority. “Without them, the inspiration to serve the constituency and the country may not be as readily apparent.” His wife, Yedda, is also in Congress, representing the party-list group Tingog Sinirangan. “And it’s great to have her there, because she has a deeper understanding of the work that I initially got into. Now that she’s more involved, she knows what’s going on, so we understand one another. We discuss, but never heatedly, at home. I learn a lot from her, in her own advocacies.” The couple also make sure that their children are given as much time as possible, particularly now that they’re able to spend a lot of time at home, working out of the house. “We get to see the children, maybe more so than they want to see us,” he grins. As with his experience with natural disasters and other health crises, he sees the current situation with a glimmer of hope. “There’s a Chinese saying that sheds light on how to turn crisis into opportunity. So definitely, we are all in this crisis and we have to take advantage of it. Instead of being despondent, losing hope and being in despair—just like during [Typhoon] Yolanda, we have to see how we can convert this moment into an opportunity to do good for others. I think our collective and personal experiences of this COVID-19 pandemic has made us want to strive to become better people, despite the challenges.” The way Filipinos come together in difficult circumstances is a point of pride, he underscores. “When [Typhoon] Yolanda struck, I was very proud that our countrymen jumped in to help us recover. All the Filipinos from different regions came over to help us, completely spontaneous. The spirit of altruism, compassion, and malasakit, was so evident. It inspired us all.” Now faced with another crisis, the country is tested once again. “What makes this time different is that it is not just nationwide, but it’s global,” he adds. “What we Filipinos need now is more patience and more unity. We need more inspiration to carry on, to band as one country, as a people, and to uplift the spirits of those who have been afflicted and affected by COVID-19.” Romualdez indeed aims to inspire hope. “We just have to realize and have faith in God that we will overcome and that we will succeed. We will bounce back stronger than ever before!” CONTACT US We are always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. info@league.ph 0915 239 8547

BACK MAN OF THE GOLDEN’ HOUR GENEROSOPHILIPPINE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT AND CAVITE 8TH DISTRICTREPRESENTATIVE ABRAHAM “BAMBOL” TOLENTINO BY EDWIN P. GALVEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANUEL GENEROSOPHILIPPINE T he country’s massive celebration of Team Philippines’ four-medal finish at the 2020 Tokyo Games—topped by its first-ever gold medal win after a long 97-year drought— still lingers in the air, and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President and Cavite Representative Abraham “Bambol” Ng Tolentino has barely taken a rest. The 57-year-old incumbent representative of the 8th District of Cavite—which encompasses his hometown of Tagaytay City and seven other municipalities south of Manila—immediately buckled down to set the strategies for what promises to be a bigger medal haul for the Philippines in the next Summer Olympics. “More than one gold is the target,” says Tolentino when asked about the number of golds the country can capture during the quadrennial games in Paris, France in 2024. Before two-time Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz’s gold medal finish in the women’s 55 kilograms weightlifting competition at Tokyo 2020, the Philippines had only won three silver and seven bronze medals since joining in 1924 at the Paris Games. “Noong tinanong ako d’yan for Tokyo Olympics, sinabi ko (When I was asked about that in relation to the Tokyo Olympics, I said) one is enough and more than one is a blessing,” Tolentino tells LEAGUE at his district office at Tagaytay City Hall. “When Hidilyn said, ‘Kaya pala natin’ (We can do it, after all), this woke up many ‘sleeping’ athletes as it brought them a new wave of inspiration. With that, yes, more medals are forthcoming,” he says. Tolentino’s optimism shines more brightly for the Paris-bound delegation as he sees sending more than 20 athletes—which may even reach up to 30—so long as those who competed in Tokyo do not decide to retire. Ensuring Funds Called “Bambol” by friends, family and supporters, Tolentino comes off as affable, funny, and lighthearted, which easily make him a very engaging leader. But his ferocious grit and passion have also made the POC the winningest Olympic committee today in its 110-year history. BACK BUY MAGAZINE NOW TO READ FULL ARTICLE

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) CEO & PRESIDENT Rossel “Shantal” Dimayuga FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO HELPING OTHERS Drawing from her own experiences, Shantal Dimayuga wishes to help others escape poverty through her foundation Yakap Foundation. Tzu Chi Foundation. Helping Filipinos, One Mission at a Time Learn about the foundation and its Eight Footprints and their impact on the Filipino community. Junior Chamber International JCI: BUILDING STRONG, EFFECTIVE LEADERS WORLDWIDE Leaders of JCI Philippines talk about investing in young people who are ready to make a difference. PHILIPPINE NURSES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT MELVIN D. MIRANDA The Voice of Filipino Nurses This nurse-educator never wavers in amplifying the voice of Filipino nurses.