AN UPCOMING Pampanga leader, Dennis Cunanan, has sought the quiet blessing of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, if not her tacit approval, in his desire to run in the first congressional district.

Cunanan, a native of Magalang, traditional bailiwick of Representative Carmelo Lazatin, said in an interview that his cabalen and leading municipal leaders urged him to contest the district seat against the incumbent and candidate-declared Councilor Ares Yabut of Angeles City.

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Cunanan said upon learning that Lazatin has made his break with the President by declaring his support and alliance with presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, he has set his sight on winning Mrs. Arroyo's support and blessing on his prospective candidacy.

Asked to react on Cunanan's joining the congressional race, Ares Yabut said he welcomes "Decu" as a rival with great joy. "The people of Magalang will naturally support their favorite son, and that will take away the usual winning votes of Lazatin in that town."

He said with Magalang voters going to Cunanan, "Lazatin will be handicapped and I am determined to beat him in Angeles City."

Cunanan is a wedding godson of the President. As her Presidential Assistant for Youth Affairs, she also appointed him Deputy Director of the Technology and Resource Center.

Decu, an active achiever even during his elementary and high school days in the Holy Family Academy and Chevalier School in Angeles City where he graduated With Honors' and With Distinction, respectively. At the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman he was elected Student Regent by the entire UP students to UP System's highest policy-making body.

The former student activist trounced his rivals who were backed up by powerful movements in a broad political spectrum.

He also served in the UP University student council, Scholarship and Financial Assistance Board and in other student organizations. He was elected twice to serve as National President of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), a national alliance of student councils in the Philippines. After finishing his studies with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, he immediately ventured into a career in business and government service.

Responding to the call of his cabalen, he ran for councilor in 1995 and the people of Magalang gave him an overwhelming mandate as their No. 1 Councilor. He also assumed the position of OIC-Vice Mayor for some time. He served as Director of the Philippine Councilors' League and Philippine Vice Mayors' League as well as secretary general of the National Movement of Young Legislators in Central Luzon.

He is currently the president of Magalang Cuedad Enterprise, Inc. and the Concun Group, Inc. These corporations are engaged in gasoline station operations, resort management, spring water refilling and bottling, product distribution services, and real estate development.

He continued his government service as Executive Director of the National Youth Commission (NYC) under the Office of the President of the Philippines in August of 2000. He is also the youngest Head Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines in July 2001. In January 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed him Presidential Assistant for Youth Affairs. Concurrently, he serves as Deputy Director General with the rank of Undersecretary/Deputy Minister of the Technology Resource Center since December of that same year.

In between these multiple responsibilities, he managed to chart a solid career in the JCI Movement, developing his leadership skills and strengthening his resolve for community service.

In 1996, he became the Charter President of JCI Magalang "Mekeni"; 2000 JCI Philippines National Vice President for Central Luzon; 2001 JCI Philippines National Senior Executive Vice President; 2005 JCI Philippines National President and in 2008 JCI Vice President for Asia Pacific assigned to Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, French Polynesia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Decu said he can beat soundly Lazatin in Magalang and will do well in Mabalacat where he has a large family network and kinetic influence in the grass roots "I hoped my Ninang (PGMA) will bless my venture, with Representative Lazatin now at the other side of the fence."

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At the Fourth District, former DOTC Asec Rene Maglanque continues to draw lively attention to his resurrected crusade to topple Representative Anna York B. Sagum from her throne. His issue: bad performance by the congresswoman; failure to deliver needed services; negligence in focusing government attention to crying problems of the district.

Rene is inspiring the local youth, in fact, with his belief that perseverance and patience can make a difference in life, according to journalist Joel Mapiles who comes from Candaba. "His do-or-die attitude exemplifies typical Mandasig courage," he said.

Although he had been clobbered twice by the some woman dubbed "Ang Reyna ng Macabebe," the dashing Datu of Mandasig is back on his feet to prove his point.

Rene, very young looking and a cool dude with his expensive hair transplant (done in Beverly Hills, LA) is now ready to do battle, even it takes him to a "sabunutan" with his lady conqueror, brother of Rimpy and wife to Jay Sagum.