"MAYOR BONITO"

I was overjoyed over recent news that Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Bonito Singson has filed his Certificate of Candidacy for City Mayor of vintage Vigan. This city may be ancient, dating back to the days of our Spanish conquistadores as evidenced by its edifices and Castellano influence and attitude, what with its sumptuous cuisine and the popular "siesta time" welcomed by the hardworking and industrious Ilocano, but "Mayor Bonito" carries with him quick action over difficulties and new ideas with a dynamic leadership as a first-class Filipino with a big heart for the people of Vigan. Confident over his imminent victory, I anticipate beautiful changes for Bigenyos under his term.

I met Bonito some 38 years ago. And him being a Singson, I knew exactly the environment he lived in where politics often took center stage on the dinner table. But I saw something else in him. Way back then, he already had big plans for the days ahead which turned into weeks, then months and then years. He was patient with time but already had a grand plan to succeed in business, and fate would smile upon him with a cornucopia of business opportunities. He built his business empire in just a little under two decades of determination and hard work. A remarkable feat for anyone who has experienced great personal challenges in life. He turned stumbling blocks into stepping stones to get where he wanted to be in life. Today, he has "arrived" but not without giving back to society what was offered to him. Bonito has a huge charitable spirit, always ready to extend a hand in friendship or to help the downtrodden in any way possible to make their journey in life less burdensome. He not only fed people with fish, he also taught them how to fish and where to cast their bait for a sure big bite. And big in business is Bonito today. But something even more surprising happened in 2019. He suddenly was the main 'piece de resistance' perhaps on that same dinner table. He won a congressional seat as a partylist representative without really expecting this sudden turn of fate. His performance and track record in the House of Representatives are very impressive, which also granted him chairmanship of a powerful committee. The tasks prepared him well for bigger responsibilities such as chief executive of a city. I can honestly say that he is well-equipped for the job of Mayor of Vigan City. Bonito is a good man with a good heart. A gentleman and a gentle man. Proud of this man's achievements in life, I know he will do perfectly well and the city will at last return to its old glory. He is what Vigan exactly needs today.