It's Me, Gracee: QC Councilor Alfred Vargas

From Setbacks to Success, Alfred Vargas posted son's Remarkable Swimming Comeback

Alfred Vargas Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Quezon City 5th District Councilor Alfred Vargas posted an update about his son Cristiano Vargas on his comeback in his beloved sport swimming. His comeback was at the Milo Swim Competition and earned Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) Category A, in his second consecutive year.

Instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZmvk5QhLK1/?igsh=MWJ6Ym12bWxvbzl3NQ==

"Our comeback kid!

After months of serious challenges, setbacks, and deprived opportunities, Cristiano was finally able to compete in swimming once again. And what a comeback it was.

Returning to the pool at the Milo Swim Competition after a long absence from the sport he loves so much, he delivered his best performances yet, improving in every single event and posting personal best times across the board.

What made it even more special was seeing him race with the bigger kids in the 9–10-year-old division and show his strength in the pool.

Cristiano persevered and never gave up despite all the noise, obstacles, and distractions. He stayed focused, trusted the process, and rose to the occasion.

On his long-awaited return to competition, he earned Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS), Category A, making it his second consecutive year as a Most Outstanding Swimmer at the Milo Competition.

Our deepest gratitude to Coach Manny Thruelen for taking Cristiano under your wing even though you are already retired from coaching.

Thank you for welcoming him, believing in him when he needed it most, and generously sharing your time, knowledge, and heart. Your guidance, patience, and unwavering support helped make this comeback possible. We will always be grateful for the impact you have made on Cristiano’s journey.

Thank you as well to the swimming community for the warmth, support, and love we received that day. Thank you to our former Brittany Swimming Team for cheering Cristiano on.

And thanks also to his former coaches, Coach Gary and Coach JM, for their continued support and for cheering him on despite no longer being his coaches.

Hard work always rewards those who persevere and trust the long and arduous process.

The stopwatch never lies.

Genuine character transcends distortion & distractions. And God really protects and blesses the good and faithful hearted.

We are so proud of you, anak!

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!"

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QC Councilor Alfred Vargas Graduates as Valedictorian in UP, dedicates his diploma to manager, Lolit Solis

Alfred Vargas Tuesday, July 08, 2025

AFTER graduating from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), Alfred Vargas dedicated the milestone to his manager Lolit Solis.

Alfred was the Valedictorian of the Diploma on Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) program of University of the Philippines Diliman’s School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP). He achieved the highest academic standing whole class of 2025 with the General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.0288 and received the Dean’s Medallion.

Accepting his diploma and achievement, Alfred was emotional during his valedictory speech in UP Film Center last Saturday as he dedicated it to his manager of 21 years, Manay Lolit, who passed away last Wednesday.

“Nay Lolit, para sa ‘yo ang tagumpay na ito,” Alfred expressed tearfully.

The 5th district councilor also thanked his wife, Yasmine, and their children—Alexandra, Aryana, Cristiano and Aurora, for their support and understanding for the councilor.

In his speech, Councilor Vargas also gave emphasis to the importance of heart and compassion for effective urban planning.

Alfred also called to his fellow graduates and new urban planners, urging them to integrate kindness and compassion into their crucial role in shaping cities.

"This graduation is meaningless if we choose indifference over kindness, if we prioritize ourselves over others, or if we abandon our principles and the fight for what is right," Alfred stated.

"Walang halaga ang ating pagtatapos kung hindi natin isasabuhay ang kabutihan at kagandahan ng loob. Simple pero totoo. Walang halaga ang lahat ng ito kung tayo ay mananatiling bulag at manhid sa mga nangyayaring kasinungalingan, katiwalian, pati na rin ang malawak na kahirapan,” he added in his valedictory address.

"Hindi sapat ang ating mga kamay. Kailangan natin ng puso," Alfred further affirmed. "Hindi sapat ang teknikal na kaalaman o malalim na expertise para maging urban planner—kailangan natin ng puso at malasakit.”

Alfred highlighted that kindness is the root of "malasakit, good governance, paninindigan para sa social justice, paggalang sa pagkapantay-pantay, at pagkilala sa dignidad ng bawat isa.”

He further highlighted the vital role of kindness in addressing pressing urban challenges, "Without kindness, we cannot find sustainable and inclusive solutions to the pressing challenges in urban planning—overpopulation, housing shortages, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, traffic congestion, urban blight, resource scarcity, poor health and safety, substandard education, social inequality, and more.

"Go beyond tokenistic public consultations. Genuinely listen to and empower diverse community voices, especially those often marginalized, in the planning process," Alfred urged his fellow graduates.

Drawing from his own experience as a public servant, Alfred shared how "pakikinig at paninindigan sa tama ay sadyang napakahalaga.” He cited that the establishment of the Quezon City Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) last 2011 spurred by sincerely listening to the PWD community's needs, holding democratic consultations, and practicing people-participation mechanisms with all the stakeholders. It has now produced 25,000 PWD IDs, and given assistive devices to around 4,000 beneficiaries. He also used this same process of holding democratic consultations to pass the National Integrated Cancer Control Act when he was a congressman.

Councilor Alfred concluded his speech by calling to a new generation of urban planners: "Let this graduation be a natural ending to our graduate course and the beginning of a new breed of Filipino urban planners who can lead with kindness, expertise, and character."

"Nothing is impossible and everything is achievable when we spread kindness," Alfred said, emphasizing that planning decisions should reduce disparities and promote social equity, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual.”

A dedicated public servant, actor, and scholar, Alfred excelled in the rigorous 2-year, 26-unit DURP program, which equips graduates to tackle complex urban and regional challenges. This academic achievement underscores his commitment to lifelong learning, building on his undergrad degree in AB Management Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 2002 and Master’s degree in Public Administration from UP Diliman’s National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in 2021.

Currently, Alfred’s commitment to learning is on going as he pursues a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at SURP.

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From Setbacks to Success, Alfred Vargas posted son's Remarkable Swimming Comeback

QC Councilor Alfred Vargas Graduates as Valedictorian in UP, dedicates his diploma to manager, Lolit Solis

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