Mayor Guia Gomez of San Juan: On being a Public Servant and Mother to Senator JV Ejercito
2019 Elections Monday, March 18, 2019
It was an evening full of reminiscing, learning and inspiration with Mayor Guia Gomez, who will turn 76 on April 20 but doesn't look her age at all, not even close.
Mayor Guia Gomez who have been a long time resident of San Juan and also a public servant by heart when she later on replaced her son Senator JV Ejercito as the Mayor of the city. For the past 10 years, she has done her part as the mother of San Juan and thankfully, bloggers got the chance to know her more, not just the Mayor of San Juan and also an actress in her prime days but also a mother who loves to spend time with her family and children, a lola who showers her apo with love and so much more.
For the past 9 years, Mayor Guia has done a lot of improvements in San Juan, with additional housing programs for the less privilege, job generation and skills training, the sustainable programs shall eventually free the majority of the San Juaneños from poverty.
Mayor Guia is the eldest child of Dr. Dominador Gomez of Silay City and Paz Guanzon of Iloilo City. She was a Valedictorian during her elementary days at University of Negros Oriental-Recoletos and she studied here in Manila at Philippine Women's University later on. It was no denying that she is an achiever because she started early in school, she was active both in academics and extra-curricular activities. Fast forward to the present, aside from being an effective public servant, this qualities she possessed were passed on to her son Senator JV Ejercito who also excelled in his own achievements.
At 76, Mayor Guia shares that although she has some restrictions because of her back, she had a Transverse myelitis but this didn't stop her from doing what she thinks is her destiny and mission to do as a public servant.
Amidst her busy schedule, Mayor Guia shares her daily routines from waking up early and going to the office and doing some meetings and paper works down to bonding with her family when she has no work because she makes it a point that during weekends, she will spend time with her family.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito was born on December 26, 1969 to former President now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and businesswoman, philanthropist and current San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez.
Mayor Guia describes Senator JV during his childhood days, saying he was a bit shy but at an early age, he knows how to pay attention and listen to the elders.
He was given the name “Victor” because he was born shortly after the elder Estrada won his first term as Mayor of the town of San Juan. He attended Xavier School and completed his degree in Political Science at the De La Salle University.
Mayor Guia described her son Senator JV that at an early age, he already knows what he wanted, he knows what is right or wrong plus he is an independent and responsible person. Remisicing on JV'S elementary days, Mayor Guia compared her son to other pupils saying that JV would only allow them to accompany him to school for just the first week of school opening then the next week, he is on his own.
Senator JV’s life away from the legislative halls of the Senate revolves around his family – his wife, Ma. Hyacinth Lotuaco, and his two sons Jose Emilio and Julio Jose. He will be running for Senator as a re-electionist this coming elections and was also endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Even though both are busy because they're both public servant, they make it a point to have bonding moments on Sundays, they will go to mass then they will have lunch or dinner. Senator JV loves the cooking of his Mom and according to Mayor JV some of his favorite dishes are pochero, tortang talong, Adobo and Bacalao.
Mayor Guia also shared her favorite dish that she always cook and also a favorite of Senator JV. This Bacalao recipe is a secret recipe of Mayor Guia and was described by Senator JV as the best recipe he has tasted.
It was really a fun and memorable evening to finally meet the honorable Mayor Guia Gomez, my impression of her before was way different compared when I finally met her. She's a strong woman who is sweet and thoughtful on the inside, has a big heart not only for her family but also to the people of San Juan.
