Choreographer runs for Cebu town mayor
03/30/2007 | 07:27 AM
An award-winning choreographer and heritage conservationist threw his hat into the political ring Thursday as he filed his candidacy for the mayoralty post of Carcar town in Cebu.
Sun-Star Cebu (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday that Valentino “Val" Sandiego filed his candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Carcar town Thursday.
With him were his family, friends and relatives wearing red T-shirts. Sandiego is running as an independent candidate.
Sandiego said he filed his bid because he was frustrated over incumbent local officials’ “neglect in supporting their visions in preserving the heritage of Carcar."
He added he “spent sleepless nights with fervent prayers before finally deciding to answer his calling." He heads the Carcar Heritage and Conservation Society (CHCS) and the Sandiego Dance Company.
According to him, Carcar is on its way to becoming a city but still lacks a clean public toilet, a clean public market, a transport terminal and a diversion road to take traffic away from the National Highway.
Carcar is a first-class town in Cebu with a population of 89,199 people in 17,312 households.
Sandiego, who will challenge re-electionist Mayor Mario Patricio “Patrick" Barcenas in the May 14 polls, said his bid is a “sacrifice because he had to leave his business in the city to go home to Carcar and serve the Carcaranons."
“I don’t have the money but I believe that the Carcaranons vote intellectually. For me, this is a turning point ... We’ll have to maneuver the wheels to keep it on the right track. There is still hope for Carcar if given the right chance," he said.
Barcenas, who ran uncontested in the last elections and who is seeking his last term, admitted that he did not expect that somebody will challenge him this time.
But he is not surprised that people are interested to lead Carcar as it is already attractive to politicians, especially since the town is already on its way to becoming a city.
“I did not expect but I was not surprised. We cannot stop people who want to serve. Maybe he has his visions for the town. Maybe he just sees it is already nice because Carcar is about to be declared a city," Barcenas said.
Sandiego, 45, was the 22nd candidate to file his COC with the local poll office. - GMANews.TV
Sun-Star Cebu (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday that Valentino “Val" Sandiego filed his candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Carcar town Thursday.
With him were his family, friends and relatives wearing red T-shirts. Sandiego is running as an independent candidate.
Sandiego said he filed his bid because he was frustrated over incumbent local officials’ “neglect in supporting their visions in preserving the heritage of Carcar."
He added he “spent sleepless nights with fervent prayers before finally deciding to answer his calling." He heads the Carcar Heritage and Conservation Society (CHCS) and the Sandiego Dance Company.
According to him, Carcar is on its way to becoming a city but still lacks a clean public toilet, a clean public market, a transport terminal and a diversion road to take traffic away from the National Highway.
Carcar is a first-class town in Cebu with a population of 89,199 people in 17,312 households.
Sandiego, who will challenge re-electionist Mayor Mario Patricio “Patrick" Barcenas in the May 14 polls, said his bid is a “sacrifice because he had to leave his business in the city to go home to Carcar and serve the Carcaranons."
“I don’t have the money but I believe that the Carcaranons vote intellectually. For me, this is a turning point ... We’ll have to maneuver the wheels to keep it on the right track. There is still hope for Carcar if given the right chance," he said.
Barcenas, who ran uncontested in the last elections and who is seeking his last term, admitted that he did not expect that somebody will challenge him this time.
But he is not surprised that people are interested to lead Carcar as it is already attractive to politicians, especially since the town is already on its way to becoming a city.
“I did not expect but I was not surprised. We cannot stop people who want to serve. Maybe he has his visions for the town. Maybe he just sees it is already nice because Carcar is about to be declared a city," Barcenas said.
Sandiego, 45, was the 22nd candidate to file his COC with the local poll office. - GMANews.TV
