THE recent elections in Manila were full of surprises—but none bigger than Chi Atienza’s stunning victory as Vice Mayor-elect.
The 44-year-old Chi, whose full name is Angela Lei Ilagan Atienza Valdepeñas, garnered a huge number of votes for someone who has no vast political experience and yet is gunning for the second-highest post in the country’s capital city.
Chi is no stranger to public service or the spotlight. She’s a political science graduate from De La Salle University and a former TV host for PTV’s “Bagong Pilipinas” and “Rise and Shine Pilipinas.” She also appeared in GMA’s anthology show Maynila, occasionally filling in for her father, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
She also served as director of the ‘Kababaihan ng Maynila,’ an organization established by her father to provide livelihood for the city’s women population. Her mother, Ma. Evelina Ilagan, is also actively leading the said organization.
In the recently concluded polls, news had it that Chi was supposed to run for councilor in Manila’s fifth district while her brother Ali, a former councilor, was expected to run for Vice Mayor.
However, Ali was offered a position in the national government, so Chi took over the slot he vacated.
Fast forward to now, Chi is the incoming Vice Mayor of Manila, there is a gargantuan task ahead of her and for sure, some will be questioning her ability, not only because she is a woman but more because she is a newbie.
As Vice Mayor, she will be serving concurrently as Presiding Officer of the Manila City Council which has a membership of 38 – 36 Councilors and two sectoral representatives – and whose function is to create local laws and pass needed ordinances and resolutions needed to get certain projects or programs started.
Firstly, in this day and age, there is no job in the world that a woman cannot do.
Secondly, no government official who did not pass through being a first-timer. Even the Presidents did.
What makes Chi’s case different from other newbies in politics is that while she may be a first-timer, she is equipped with enough background and will have proper guidance in the performance of her new role and in dealing with any problems that may crop up in connection with her public functions.
For starters, her brothers Kim and Ali were both former fifth Councilors of Manila. Her sister, Maile, on the other hand, just got reelected also as a Councilor, but in the third district.
Not to mention that her husband, Von Valdepeñas, is a former one-term councilor of Los Baños, Laguna.
Most of all, her dad Lito, is no ordinary former mayor.
Before becoming the only city mayor to complete three full terms, he was a chief information officer for the late Mayor Ramon Bagatsing, a former barangay captain, assemblyman, Councilor and Vice Mayor.
He also served in a national capacity as NHA manager, DENR Secretary, Party-List Representative, House Deputy Speaker, among many other government posts.
With all the help and advice that Chi could readily get from her husband, siblings and especially her dad, the only Manila mayor who completed three terms, what could possibly go wrong?
In the meantime, congrats to the Atienza family!!!
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