Local leaders can also change our world for the good of the country and our people.

Parañaque City has four outstanding men and one woman: Mayor Eric Olivarez, Representatives Edwin Olivarez and Gustavo Tambunting and Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, whose voices and quality of public service will undoubtedly influence the shaping of national policies for the good of the Filipino people.

These four contributed their industry and hard work and shocked the world when they transformed the city by the bay. Once not among the 10 richest cities, they made it the 10th richest in the Philippines within three years.

A remarkable lady destined for greatness is now a star rising in the firmament above Parañaque City, the cradle of leaders with potential for national leadership.

Joan Villafuerte, the former three-term councilor and now vice mayor, has been responsible for presiding over the city council since her election in 2022. Her crafting and issuance of ordinances supporting the programs and projects of the city administration have been crucial, contributing to the rise of the city into the 10th richest in the Philippines and the attainment of many other awards and recognitions.

Having been supportive of sports, youth and health when she was a councilor, she now, as head of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, envisions health, education and sports-centered local legislation after performing the routine but essential tasks of signing all warrants for the expenditures of the city council and appointing its officials and employees.

Villafuerte continues to support every move that promotes and strengthens the welfare of the Filipino youth, enhancing their health, values, and character because this young generation is the hope of the fatherland.

As head of local legislation, Villafuerte stands firmly on her principle that the ordinances crafted by the city council are anchored in our fundamental values, beliefs, customs, and traditions, and above all, our faith as a people in God, who guides the destiny of women, men and nations.

Representative Gustavo Suarez Tambunting of the second district of Parañaque City is another rising star on the horizon of the city by the bay. He is best known among his constituents as Cong. Gus.

He is now chairperson of the powerful House Committee on Legislative Franchises, a role that allows him to shape the policies governing public utilities.

Tambunting is now a man of great influence in shaping national policies, being vice chairperson of several important House committees.

He has skill in presiding over committee meetings and has impressed his fellow members of Congress, including the Speaker and the Majority Leader. He was easily able to instill discipline and strict observance of parliamentary courtesies, even at times when members of the House, in heated arguments, were about to throw punches at each other.

But the greatness of this big man lies in his gentleness in caring for his great-grandmother, the late Mila del Sol. Out of his love and gratitude for her care when he was young, he took leave to be with her until she passed away in 2020 at the age of 97.