As Biñan City, Laguna Vice Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte can tell anybody, being a vice mayor entails more than simply being a “spare part” of the city government.
It was in fact, being a “spare part” that actually gives him a lot more time – and a lot more responsibility – to make an impact on his constituents, particularly the youth.
So it wasn’t entirely a surprise (even though he himself was surprised) when Alonte was hailed as the "Most Influential Vice Mayor and Sports Advocate of the Year" during the recent Pillars of Public Service Awards 2024 held last September 7.
Speaking of which, what does being an “influencer” entail for Alonte, especially with the rise of “online influencers” who have the power to sway netizens?
"Napakasaya ng feeling ko na parang kinikilala ka, parang pina-pattern ka na, eto ang gusto naming maging tipo ng leader, lalo na sa mga kabataan," Alonte related in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
'Tahimik pero may ginagawa'
Relatives, friends and constituents alike can easily attest that Alonte's quiet, almost shy demeanor belies his active participation in the local government scene.
In his capacity as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, for instance, he became instrumental for the passage of many local laws, even authored numerous Ordinances that benefitted Biñanenses.
Another sphere of influence where Alonte can say he has exerted considerable power is sports, particularly basketball.
Filipinos are known to be great sports lovers, and Alonte, being an avid basketball player since his youth, has found it an ideal medium for him to encourage Biñanense youth to follow their own dreams.
“Malaking bagay talaga yung pagiging basketball player ko, dahil nakakaikot ako sa bawat barangay na nasasakupan natin, nakakahalubilo ko ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Leading by example
But what Alonte considers to be his greatest way of exerting a good influence to Biñanenses is the exemplar life he lives, both as a public servant and as a family man.
"Naniniwala ako na ang pundasyon ng mabuting pagkatao ay laging nagsisimula sa pamilya, sa mga magulang. The way kung kung papaano kami inalaagan ng aming mga magulang, nai-apply ko iyon personally sa pagiging public servant ko. Malaking bagay ito lalo na't lumaki ako na laging bukas ang tahanan namin sa publiko," he explained.
Alonte credits his father, former Mayor Arthur Alonte, as the greatest influencer in his life and career.
“Ang naipakita sa amin ni Papa bilang public servant at bilang magulang ang siya kong nais ipakita sa ating mga kababayan, sa mga Biñanense: ang pagiging mapagpakumbaba, disiplinado, at pagiging totoo sa mga tao,” he added.
"Masaya po ako dahil nakikita ko na may umuunlad na personalidad na tinutularan tayo, lalo na ng ating mga kabataan, ang ating mga future leaders. Alam naman natin na tatanda tayo, so gusto natin na kung ano ang nasimulan natin, mahigitan pa nila."
In turn, he himself became the biggest “influencer” to his siblings, as his decision to continue his studies (last April, he completed the Public Leadership Credential Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States) inspired them to pursue their own dreams.
Vice Mayor Gel Alonte:
"Hindi lang kasi gusto kong i-uplift ang pagseserbisyo ko sa Biñan City, gusto ko ring i-uplift ang sarili ko, bilang tao. Kapag public servant ka, hindi pwedeng gusto mo lang – you have to prepare for it," was how he explained his motivation to continue his studies.
"Actually, iyon ngang pag-aaral ko sa Harvard ang dahilan kung bakit yung mga kapatid ko, nagpasya nang kumuha ng Master's degree. Nakita nila na hindi naman kailangan na matalino ka para pag-ibayuhin pa ang kaalaman mo: ang kailangan lang ay matiyaga ka at pursigido."
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonStories #ViceMayorGelAlonte #BiñanLGU #PublicServiceAwards2024