Friday, October 06, 2006 Tulabut: Two Pinoys vie for mayor By Noel G. Tulabut Palm Notes
MILPITAS, Calif (Via Comclark) -- Who said that Philippine brand of politics only abound in the archipelagic country? That is not the case here in Silicon Valley as two Filipinos vie for top electoral post in this high tech city.
A historic first not only in this state but probably in the whole of Northern America, two protagonists are set to add color if not reshape the political landscape in this country as voters decide on November 7 whether to keep in office the incumbent mayor who is seeking a third and final term, Joe Esteves, or to pave the comeback trail of erstwhile three-term honcho, Henry Manayan.
Esteves comes from Pangasinan while his opponent has his roots -- ironically -- also from Pangasinan and Ilocos region. The latter served as this city's mayor from 1996 to 2002.
He was born in New York. His father is Dr. Henry A. Manayan, a New York and Harvard-trained surgeon, born in the Philippines. His mother is the former Lorraine Chang, a nurse anesthetist, born to Chinese American parents in Hawaii.
Manayan was educated at the Syracuse University in New York, Oxford University in Great Britain, Santa Clara University School of Law in California, Golden Gate University Graduate School of Banking and Finance in San Francisco, the London Business School in England and Harvard University in Massachusetts.
His professional career extends from being a college professor, real estate development, and investment banking. Mr. Manayan is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Transpacific Companies, a conglomeration of real estate and financial interests, with business in the US and Asia.
Estevez, on the other hand, according to his website is a Department Information Systems Specialist II, County of Santa Clara Superior Court, Businessman and Business Consultant. He has also held positions such as Systems Project Leader Data Processing manager; Corporate VP, Corporate Planner-Management Services. He was a practicing Civil and Industrial Engineer.
He has Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science in Civil and Industrial Engineering, Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities, Communicating for High Impact Academy, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA, Leadership in the 21st Century, JFK School of Government and Harvard University.
While both camps boast of key endorsements from political leaders, youth and labor organizations, ethnic groupings, the campaign trail took a surprise turn as the sister of the mayor announced her overwhelming support to his brother's opponent.
In a recent and surprise announcement, Perla Esteves Ignacio had endorsed Manayan to become the next city mayor before a crowd of Milpitas City residents and supporters of the mayoral aspirant.
"I am here today to announce that I am endorsing former mayor Henry Manayan. Henry will be an effective mayor who will give the City of Milpitas the proven leadership we deserve," Ignacio said in a recent gathering of some Milpitas City residents.
For his part, Manayan expressed elation over the announcement made by Ignacio.
"It is a great honor to have Perla's endorsement, and I look forward to working with her and the citizens of our city," Manayan said. He also added: "It takes great courage to stand up in public and extend unequivocal support to an opponent of a fellow family member."
"I am glad that Perla's endorsement was also based on her belief that the City of Milpitas could soar to greater heights once again, given the chance that it be steered by honest, effective and dynamic leaders."
With the Filipino brand of politics and patronage, the endorsement may yet deal a big blow to the re-election bid of Estevez.
Milpitas is a high-tech Silicon Valley city that host companies like Cisco Systems, Lifescan, Solectron, SanDisk, among many others.
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