By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Philantrophist Dr. Arnold Vegafria, a mayoral candidate in Olongapo City, on Monday (April 28) divulged his plans to reform Olongapo City into a progressive and a major tourism destination in the Philippines.
During the Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery Cafe hosted by Wilson Lee Flores, Dr. Vegafria said “This is my most fervent wish, to bring the glory days of Olongapo City the way I remember it best.”
He was so happy to see the entertainment media and the news media combined during the Pendesal Forum.
He is so happy to have his new journey in life that is public service.
He studied in New York for the Executive Program. He is now continuing his studies for Public Administration.
“Normally, I’m in the front of advertising and a talent manager. Maybe, it’s a calling. The glory of Olongapo has gone. Nawala ang ningning at sigla ng Olongapo,” Dr. Vegafria said.
He expressed confidence to bring back the old glory of Olongapo City as he has the capacity and the capability to do it.
“If we have been successful in different businesses. I can create a economic zone in Olongapo City,” Dr. Vegafria said.
“This is the first time that we have combined the news media and the entertainment media in one press conference,” he added.
In 2022, Dr. Vegafria was not 100% ready and unfortunately. He only campaigned then for three days, hence, he did not succeed.
“Siguro, it’s a calling. I decided to run again to serve my city. I believe, this time, I will be lucky,” Dr. Vegafria said.
He got the “best results” during the second debate for the mayoralty of Olongapo City weeks before the May 12 national and local elections.
He was the deputy campaign manager of PDP-Laban for two times in a row. He is a consultant in tourism and entertainment industry.
Dr . Vegafria cited that Raymond Bagatsing is running for mayor, Enzo Pineda, and Isko Moreno, who is also running for Mayor of Manila. They are not his talents, but Dr. Vegafria worked with them one way or the other.
He also cited the performance of Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, and Congresswoman Lucy Torres, which negated the “stigma” that people who come from showbiz could not perform good public service.
“I think the people of Olongapo will tell you straight that they need change,” Dr. Vegafria said, adding that the Paulino family defeated the Gordon family in the last elections “dahil sa utang sa kuryente ng buong Olongapo –may utang sa power supplier (OECD)” such that only P38 million was settled out of the P7.1 billion in 2022 according to PSALM.
Dr. Vegafria noted that Congressman Kongghun was able to stop the interest of the P7.1-billion arrears.
“I know I can do something to settle the ‘utang’ ng Olongapo,” he said.
“The natural resources of Olongapo is God’s gift and you just have to use and develop it,” he added.
Dr. Vegafria will be providing livelihood and job opportunities to senior citizens, PWDs (Persons with Disability), newly-graduates as the managers and will build a “new entertainment city and not anymore a sin city.”
“To manage a city and celebrities is a big responsibility which also requires psychology,” he said.
Dr. Vegafria decided to run for mayor because he personally saw that Olongapo City has deteriorated and jobs and livelihood opportunities were lost.
Among his supporters are David Licaoco, Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, a PDP-Laban senatorial candidate, among other celebrities.
“All we need to do is to revitalize our industrial infrastructure and attract foreign investors and tourists to stimulate economic boom,” he added.
More popularly known by his initials ALV, as well as his monicker “Manager ng Bayan”, Dr. Vegafria is running under the “Anak ng Gapo” banner.
Together with his council slate, Dr. Vegafria highlighted his platform and advocates to help reform his hometown into a progressive and major tourism destination.
“I know that it won’t be an easy task, but I am confident that with our team’s dedication, we can rebuild this city and bring back the economic and tourism boom that our city enjoyed during the time of the U.S. naval bases,” Dr. Vegafria said.
Prosecutor Prudencio Jalandoni is Dr. Vegafria’s vice-mayoral candidate and his councilor slate includes Ian Vegafria Bautista, Macky Alonzo, Erick Elmo Ison, Pochholo Galian, Derrick Quijano Manuel, Cris Tooley, Jr., Bhong Tocayon, Tina de Leon, Jerome Ducos and Earl Escusa.
Dr. Vegafria spent most of his formative years in Olongapo City.
He fondly remembers the glory days when the city gained renownas the “Cradle of Rock” back in the early ‘70s, as well as the bustling economic and tourism boom when the United States military bases were still in the area.
Dr. Vegafria has established his legacy as one of the Philippine entertainment industry’s respected talent managers, as well as a prolific film, television and concert producer, events specialist, and PR impresario.
Before starting his multi-faceted business career, Dr. Vegafria earned his Bachelor of Science in Dentistry degree from the University of the East.
He has also garnered acclaim as the official franchise holder of Miss World Philippines and the Miss Grand Philippines pageants.
A philantrophist and entrepreneur with diverse business interests, Dr. Vegafria also dabbed in the field of sports.
He was one of the key founders of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), and is also the Chairman of the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) mixed martial arts league.
Dr. Vegafria is the Chairman and Chief Executive Office of the ALV Group of Companies. ###
