Joy Belmonte on Sarah, Kris and her Quezon City dreams

MANILA, Philippines - One of the dynamic new faces in Philippine politics this coming election personifies the rise of idealistic, reform-minded, and well-educated youth — Joy Belmonte-Alimurung, the youngest among four siblings and the only daughter of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte and the late Philippine STAR founding Chairman Betty Go-Belmonte. Joy is an archaeologist by training (her inspiration harks back to the Raiders of the Lost Ark), a former teacher, a non-governmental organization (NGO) leader, and is now the front-running candidate for Quezon City vice-mayor in the upcoming May elections. Her running mate for mayor is current Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista. At a recent lunch hosted by Regal Films founder Mother Lily Monteverde at Imperial Palace Suites, I asked what their number one priority would be. They replied: “Poverty alleviation… and more social services for all QC residents.”

Since 2001, Joy has been championing many socio-civic and cultural undertakings as chairperson of the Quezon City Ladies Foundation, a role that would otherwise have been filled by her mother. While in college at the Ateneo de Manila University, she organized a civic project for the depressed community of Barangay Libis in Quezon City. Upon graduation, she did a one-year stint with the Jesuit Volunteers Program (JVP) to teach farmers in Bukidnon, Mindanao, which at the time had neither electricity nor potable water.

A Social Science graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, Joy later completed her master’s in Museum Studies at Leicester University in England as well as a master’s in Archaeology at the University of London. She also once taught at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman. Here are excerpts from our freewheeling interview:

PHILIPPINE STAR: What is your response to critics who claim that you have no background in politics but are now running for vice mayor of Quezon City?

JOY BELMONTE: A report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that one of the reasons the Philippines has not done well in poverty alleviation is due to too much “politics.” Coming from the NGO sector, I bring a fresh perspective and less “baggage.” Although I am not a politician by background, I have had many years of experience in public service and volunteerism. And isn’t a politician, in essence, a public servant? Critics who claim I do not understand the urban poor have forgotten that I was once a Jesuit volunteer in Bukidnon in the early 1990s; there was no water, electricity, nor paved roads.

 Where exactly in Bukidnon? Weren’t your parents apprehensive since you’re their only daughter?

It was in Kadilingan, Bukidnon, near the border with Cotabato. I volunteered, served, and lived there for one year. My parents were supportive; they knew that just like the Jesuits themselves, a Jesuit volunteer would have no choice on where she would be sent upon joining the program. You only knew you would be sent to where the need was greatest. My parents were, of course, apprehensive, but my late mother always liked to recall what Kahlil Gibran once said about one’s children: “You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you, for life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.”

What have you learned from your time in Bukidnon?

For me, it was a turning point for my life. I experienced firsthand the social inequalities in the Philippines. That was when I realized that a person who is given more opportunities in this life should likewise give more and serve more. From there, I could see the many failures of government and appreciate what it truly meant to serve the people.

You earlier said that your top priority would be poverty alleviation, because there are so many squatters in all cities of Metro Manila including Quezon City. How do you hope to achieve poverty alleviation?

Yes, that is top priority in my platform, because I believe there is no true development unless all sectors of our society enjoy the benefits of socio-economic progress. The better measure of development is improvement in per capita income, not just a rise in overall income of a place. I have many plans to help the poor, many of which I have already been actively involved in for some time. I’d like to focus on increasing opportunities for livelihood training through TESDA and other similar organizations. I’d like to provide education to all children. I hope to have more business development centers to develop entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance. I want to have more loans available for the poor, low-interest or maybe even zero-interest loans. My goal is to provide the poor with the means to rise above their situation in a way that is empowering and sustainable.

As a culture buff and advocate of arts development, is it true you plan to construct a museum in Quezon City? What kind of museum and where?

Yes, the proposed Quezon City Museum will be located near the Peace Bell Monument within the Quezon Memorial Circle. It’s a 1,000-square-meter landmark designed by architect Jun Palafox. It will be a museum on the city’s history, also showcasing culture and the arts. The vision is to help citizens understand how our city’s storied past has led us to where we are at present. The hope is that we develop a sense of ownership and love of city that will inspire effort and sacrifice that uplifts the common good.

You and your father Mayor Sonny Belmonte are now politically affiliated with Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party; how are your relationships now with Senator Manny Villar, Secretary Gibo Teodoro, and ex-President Erap Estrada?

Senator Manny Villar is a very good friend of my father. Gibo Teodoro is a close friend of my brother Miguel Belmonte; they were batchmates in Xavier School. Even former President Estrada is a distant relative of my husband. All our personal ties and friendly connections are still there. We remain friends.

With your father going back to Congress, he seems the best qualified to be the next Speaker again of the House of Representatives. What is your comment on speculations that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo still has political ambitions and she will aim to also be the next Speaker in order to push her controversial Charter change agenda?

Malayo pa iyan (That’s still far away). A lot of things can still happen, so it’s premature for me to make any comments.

I heard that you and Kris Aquino were classmates? How was it being her classmate?

Yes, we were classmates at Poveda in third grade, and then her family went to the US during Ninoy’s exile. That used to be my former claim to fame (laughs), being Kris’s classmate. We were classmates again in high school at Poveda and in college at the Ateneo, where she even became my seatmate. So, I know a bit about her teen love life (laughs), but I won’t mention any names; baka magalit siya (she might get angry).

Any interesting anecdotes that are not off the record?

In high school, we formed a young writers group called “Super Six” for my mother’s magazine, Star Monthly. It was really just an excuse to interview and meet artistas. Little did I know that Kris would one day become the biggest artista of them all. In college, we once had a project where we had to interview a regular man-on-the-street. I went to her residence at Arlegui near Malacañang Palace, and she said we were going to interview a policeman. The next thing I knew, we were on the way to the headquarters of the Western Police District and interviewing General Alfredo Lim. The next day, the newspapers ran photos of “Kris and friend” interviewing the General.

Kris was recently on the front page of the Philippine STAR for having left her husband due to some marital problems; what are your comments?

I’m not in a position to comment, I don’t know the full details of what really happened.

As a former classmate who is happily married, can you share any advice on how Kris can save her marriage?

I believe marriage needs to be founded on communication and trust. The rest are details.

Why this advice?

It’s because we’re not totally sure if the husband has actually been unfaithful; I heard that, so far, it’s just been cell phone texts or calls. Kris is a friend, I really wish her well.  

Among all the stars in Philippine entertainment, who are the actors or actresses whom you admire and why?

Sarah Geronimo is my favorite, because she is so wholesome. She is really a good role model for the youth. I believe actors and entertainers, as celebrities, have the opportunity to be role models for the people, particularly because of the influence they have on the impressionable youth and masses.

I heard that you love to read too. What are your favorite books?

I lean towards non-fiction, especially books that discuss ideas and the forces that drive human behavior and attitudes such as Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, also books by Malcolm Gladwell like Outliers, Blink, and The Tipping Point.

Favorite movies?

My favorite is a movie that I watched years ago, Cinema Paradiso, written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. I like independent films that don’t need to abide by formula and yet still manage to be captivating and memorable.

Is it true you do mountain climbing? Where have you climbed or hiked?

I’ve climbed Mount Pulag (Luzon’s highest peak, located in the borders of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya provinces). I’ve also hiked in places like Ecuador and Nepal.

Lessons learned from your father?

My father always believed in fairness — walang palakasan — in equal opportunities for the rich and poor, and in rewarding based on principle, talent, and ability. You are there to serve all your constituents with no discrimination, although I would also heed the Ateneo teachings of preferential treatment for the poor. He also taught me that, as a leader, you must have vision. There must be something that you really want to do, some change or dream for the people that you believe in and that is truly your own such that you are so compelled to go forth to do it and see it through.

What lessons did you learn from your late mother Betty Go-Belmonte?

My mother was one of the most compassionate persons ever. Our mother was so service-oriented all her life and a very devout Christian. She just gave without ever counting the cost.

* * *

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Write to willsoonflourish@gmail.com.