Ambassadress of Goodwill, Angelica Jones

By Robbie Pangilinan

It is an understatement to say that Board Member of the 3rd District of Laguna, Angelica Jones Alarva, is busy. Truth is, with her many commitments, engagements and responsibilities, she barely has time to breathe.

Take for example, her October activities. Angelica had her hands full being the Regional President of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) – Calabarzon, Regional P.R.O. of the Board Members’ League of Calabarzon, and of course, a Board Member.

Pushing her priority program “Matatag na Pamilya Movement” with the slogan “Bawat Pamilya Mahalaga,” the 28-year-old actress turned politician organized an Open Forum that tackled health care, Anti-Violence against Women and Children, and Vigilant Advocacy of Women’s Rights and Security. The program was supported by DSWD, BNS, BHW, DILG, Senior Citizens and Women of Laguna with Mayor Baby Berries and Senator Pia Cayetano. The event, held at the Brgy. Kanluran Calauan covered court, featured a showing of the short film “Ang Ina.”

Angel also held the “Trabaho Para Sa Mga Kabataan” at the Nagcarlan Gym in cooperation with Hoya Glass Disk Phillipines and with the support of Gov. ER Ejercito, NMYL members and Mayor Nelson Osuna. This is still in line with “Bawat Pamilya Mahalaga.”

With Anlene Milk, BM Angelica sponsored a free bone scan mission for the residents of Liliw, Laguna in cooperation with NMYL Regional Representative Councilor Kristine Villanueva.

“This is part of my advocacy to promote the welfare of my constituents and instill in them awareness about their health. I will pursue this project in the other towns of Laguna as well,” Angelica said.

The Chairwoman of Women’s, Family, Social Welfare and Community Development of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Laguna also organized a free gynecological disorders consultation for the Kababaihang Lingkod Bayan ng Liliw.

BM Alarva proposed a draft ordinance expanding the witness protection and recovery program of bereaved families of murder and rape victims.
“I understand how families feel about the sudden and tragic loss of a family member. Aside from the grief the family members experience, the family is faced with possible threats and inconveniences. As a public servant, I believe the government should form a task force that will take care of the bereaved family in the said moments of sorrow and threats,” she shared.

Also concerned about the safety of her fellow Laguna residents, Angelica passed a resolution for the installation of a Traffic Light in the intersection of Bay, Calauan and highway going to Victoria/Pila. The intersection, situated in the High Speed Highway along the Los Baños -Sta. Cruz route, has seen numerous vehicular accidents.

She also received a favorable response from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for an ambulance request to Senator Manny Villar. BM Alarva says that the request and other documentary requirements are already being processed at the Clinics Division of the PCSO.
Another ordinance she passed was a proposal to implement year-round disaster relief operations.

Angelica said, “Due to the series of calamities over the years, I believe that prevention is always better than cure. So I proposed that even in the absence of calamities, a continuous relief operations be made by the government so it could timely address all emergencies, disasters and calamities.”

The active Regional President of NMYL-Calabarzon organized the “Cards for a Cause Charity Poker Tournament” on October 21 at Casino Filipino, Tagaytay. NMYL members from NCR, Calabarzon, Region 4B, Albay, Pangasinan , Bataan and other provinces attended the event. The funds generated will be devoted to scholarship grants that Angelica intends to pursue. For this project, Angelica has the following to thank: the National Officers of NMYL, National President Doray Delarmente, Gov.Toto Mangudadatu, Gov.Alfonso Umali, Gov.Jonvic Remulla , Vice Gov. Mark Leviste , Vice Gov. Bonz Dolor, Vice Gov.Sevellano, Mayor Arlene Arcillas and Senator Allan Peter Cayetano.

She also led the Tree Planting of NMYL at Tayak Hills, Rizal, with Councilor Jun Astoveza and NMYL officers and members.

Angelica, an adopted daughter of Sultan Kiram and Ambassadress of Goodwill of the Sultanate of Borneo Kingdom, participated in the forum of the Philippines’ claim over Sabah last October 15 at the University of Makati. The forum was attended by Senator Nene Pimentel, Sultan Kiram himself, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, and Malaysian Ambassador Ibrahim. Several Muslim brothers and constitutional experts from different law schools were also present in the forum.

BM AJ organized the Forum of Cooperatives for Region 4A and B with the support of Gov. Ejercito. All the officers of cooperatives in Laguna took their oath at Angel’s office, being the Chairwoman of Livelihood and Cooperatives. She attended and supported the Cooperatives’ Month of Laguna, a priority project of Gov. Ejercito.

Groups in Laguna, wanting to be inspired by their workaholic Board Member, invite Angelica to various events and activities. She was a guest speaker of “Babae Mahalaga Ka! Palawakin ang Kakayahan Tungo sa Kaunlaran” who talked about women’s rights with Cong. Liza Maza and Cong. Emma De Jesus of Gabriela. She joined Alay lakad 2011 in Batangas City with Gov. Vilma Santos, Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, Mr. Ronnie Ricketts, PBMLP, NMYL and Cong. Manny Pacquiao.

She supported the National Milo Marathon in San Pablo City, told a story for the children at SM San Pablo during the awarding of SM San Pablo’s Red Cross, supported the awarding of Red Cross Laguna’s Blood Donors’ Month, visited Gov. Ejercito’s “Techno Kabuhayan” Livelihood Program at Cabuyao Jail, supported the anniversary of the Riders of Laguna and the second anniversary of Formula (Bantay Bayan, Primo, Guardians and Riders) of San Pablo City, as well as the Maskom Society of the San Pablo City Colleges.

Even Angelica’s nights are full with fiestas around the different barangays of her district. She always makes people happy as she brings along her celebrity friends to grace these events.

All these while still pursuing her master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Makati after graduating from UP (New Local Legislator Public Administration course) and Asian Institute of Management (Strategic Management for Young Legislators).

BM Angelica’s efforts were not in vain. She has been given several awards for her hard work and good governnance. President Noynoy gave the Good Governance Award to provinces and politicians, including Angelica. She received the Women of Leadership 2011 Award from Global Awards, the Outstanding Public Servant Award from National Primo and PDEA, the Outstanding Board Member of 2010 from PCSO and Lingkod Bayan, the Outstanding Board Member 2011 from Top Brands Awards and the Woman of the Month Award by PNP Calabarzon.

Angelica is quite busy, but she loves what she’s doing. At the end of the day, if her day ends, she just sits back and thinks of another day and another opportunity to serve her constituents. #

BOARD MEMBER IS AN ANGEL

By Robbie Pangilinan

Actress and endorser turned public servant Angelica Jones Alarva is a guardian angel. She guards everything she does, says and thinks in her personal, professional and public life. She guards her constituents in Laguna, looking after their welfare, ensuring their development and assuring their future.

The 28-year-old Board Member of the Third District of Laguna keeps her full guard on the families residing in her area of responsibility. She does not want them to just exist in her district, but to live quality lives as she pushes forward her “Matatag na Pamilya Movement” with the slogan “Bawat Pamilya Mahalaga.”

The young politician also advocates good governance with full sincerity and honesty. BM Alarva is busy with her obligations as elected president of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) Region 4-A Calabarzon, Regional PRO of the Board Members’ League as well as its Ambassadress of Goodwill and Ambassadress of Health and Nutrition. She chairs the committees on Women, Family, Social Welfare and Community Development, Livelihood and Cooperatives of San Pablo, Laguna.

The selfless leader’s life revolves around her fellow Laguna residents. Her calendar is full with invitations to become guest speaker, guest of honor, and judge at various occasions, fiestas and celebrations around Laguna. She spends her day either at the office planning her programs, around the province checking her constituents’ condition and needs, or elsewhere attending meetings, conducting medical missions and outreach programs, and receiving awards for her dedication and service.

Recently, Angelica received the “Outstanding Woman of the Month” award from the Police Regional Office-4-A at Camp Vicente in Calamba City in acknowledgement of her support to women. She put up several job fairs billed as “Trabahong Pangkababaihan Sagot sa Kahirapan” for Women’s Month, and continued her support for the Pro-Life movement by saying no to the RH Bill. A devout Catholic, Angelica echoes the church’s belief, “Women Deserve Better Than Abortion.”

Angelica even celebrates her birthday with Laguna’s less fortunate. She says, “I promised to God that I will share my blessings with others.” In fact, her favorite part of being a politician are the moments she spends with the poorest of the poor, eating with them, talking to them and trying to provide their needs.

Serving comes naturally to this Angel who dreamt of helping the disabled, the rape victims, the Senior Citizens, and the street children even as a child. Though she has faced many intrigues and issues in her stint as Board Member, including an oral defamation suit against Illac Diaz for anomalies concerning her Bottled School project and complaints filed against her by her former personal assistant and driver, Angelica still thinks positively.

“Showbiz and politics are similar in the sense that I am always subject to intrigues and criticism. I cannot please everybody, but I am very happy to just serve my constituents,” Angelica shares. She continues to accept projects in the entertainment industry because she needs the income. She says that when she has extra money, she shares it with her constituents as she is not the kind of public servant who uses government funds for personal benefit.

Angelica was a TV commercial model and print ad model when she was young. At 13 years old, watching the famed That’s Entertainment in Broadway Centrum, a talent coordinator approached her and said, “You can be an actress because you are beautiful and you got charms.” Flattered, the teenager looked in the mirror and decided she will join showbusiness. With the help of industry’s veteran Kuya Germs Moreno, Angelica became a member of That’s Entertainment Monday Group in 1995.

Trials and tests came her way. Fire ravaged her home and she lost almost everything she had. Showbiz intrigues caused her and her family a lot of pain. She almost left the industry.

“But when I thought of all the experiences I had and how far I have come, I realized I should not give in because nothing is unbearable and there will always be helping hands,” Angelica says. Through it all, Angelica does not have regrets.

“Naniniwala ako na lahat ng nangyayayri sa buhay ko is instrumental in making me a stronger woman,” she shares. Her faith in the Lord keeps her going.

Despite her busy schedule, Angelica finds time to keep fit, healthy and beautiful. At least once a week, she hits the gym and does boxing and Muay Thai. She eats lots of fruits and vegetables. She visits trusted beauty doctor to the stars Dr. Manny Calayan twice a month for hydroxy facial with gold mask. She tries to sleep eight hours and drinks eight glasses of water every day.

After studying in the University of the Philippines, Angelica is now taking courses at the Asian Institute of Management. She is also finishing her Public Administration master’s degree at the University of Makati and likes to pursue further studies abroad.

In the future, Angelica would like to travel to Europe, and pray inside the Vatican. The beautiful leader has many admirers and suitors, and she admits she has a special someone right now. A fellow politician is courting her but they are still at the getting to know you stage.

“If ever I have a boyfriend this year or next year, I want him to be my last boyfriend and I will love him forever. Lahat binigay na sa akin ni Lord, isa na lang ang kulang – partner in life. Yes, I want to get married and have a family someday,”

For this endeavor, Angelica is wise in choosing the right man – one who will understand her work, one who fears God, one who will love not only her but also her family and constituents, a man who is responsible and who will take care of her forever.

In the meantime, Angelica focuses her energy and resources on being a public servant and guarding the welfare of her constituents – making sure they are living in good condition. After all, that what Guardian Angels are for. #