By Robbie Pangilinan
She has one of the loveliest faces in Philippine politics today, and she is loved by her constituents, having been reelected city councillor of the 2nd district of Valenzuela. But, the love that Kate Abigael Galang Coseteng treasures most is from her family—husband Julian who is also a public servant, and son Ryan who is 2 and a half years old.
Kate finds being a public servant and being a parent similar in the sense that she needs to please both her son and constituents and in the same breath, there are times when she needs to make the painful decision to say “no”.
“Being in public service is more difficult than parenting because I have to deal with different kinds of people with different needs and wants,” the 29-year-old mother and councillor says.
Having a Business Administration Major in Management degree has been trained Kate to practice proper time management between her personal and professional life. Because she and Julian were already in public office before they got married, they did not feel much change in their lives besides the fact that Kate missed her husband and son terribly during this election’s campaign period. Julian ran in another city and Ryan was too young to join his parents in the campaign. Kate made a promise that she would spend more time with them after the elections, and over the next few years.
“I intend to devote as much quality time as possible with my family without taking time away from my duties, obligations and commitments to my constituents,” the former model vows.
Quality time for Julian and Kate means watching movies at home or in the theater. “We also enjoy going to the mall and shopping together whenever we can afford it,” Kate shares. Travelling is another of the couple’s favorites. “We like Baguio, Boracay and Cebu. As a couple, we enjoy visits to the States and Hong Kong whenever we can. Ryan’s still too young to travel that far,” the Tarlac-born official says.
The young parents love playing and spending time with Ryan who had just started schooling. They also make it a point to spend time with their different sets of friends, and of course, their extended families. Julian is the son of former Senator Nikki Coseteng while Kate is the great-granddaughter of a Pampanga mayor who served for 20 years.
Kate and Julian were both members of the National Movement for Young Legislators and this is where they met. Kate was Secretary General and Julian was chairman. But the pretty councilor’s parents were very strict and she was not allowed to go out without a chaperone. “I turned him down several times but he was so persistent. He followed me to Cebu, to Bohol and to Boracay,” Kate discloses. Julian actually courted Kate’s whole family and his persistence and determination paid off when Kate said yes. They got married on May 28, 2007.
Kate and Julian may have little fights at times, but Julian’s firm resolve always smoothens out the rough spots. Kate admits that Julian always says that he will not allow her to break up with him. This firm resolve is one of the many reasons why Kate is very much in love with her husband.
As for Ryan, Kate thinks he still may be too young to pick up life lessons, but the young mother looks forward to teaching him to treat people nicely and with respect, and to be accepting of each person who comes his way.
With the humbling experiences she has had in public service, the strong support system from her family and friends, and with Julian beside her all the way, Kate is sure that Ryan will grow up as a fine gentleman. For now, she is just basking in the innocent love she gets from him. #
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