Daddy Goryo in the house

Behind every successful election is a commissioner.” That’s not an ancient proverb, but it should be.

You’ve seen and heard him on TV in the now-defunct daily show, Post-Halalan 2010: The Congressional Hearings. You’ve probably read about him in the papers and the blogosphere. Now, get to know the person that played such a vital role in the success of the recent 2010 national and local elections, COMELEC Commissioner Greg Larrazabal.

In this exclusive interview with Supreme, “Goryo” (as he’s known to his close friends) talks about his life as a father and husband, his childhood dreams, and his love for his iPad.

What is your full name?

Gregorio Yrastorza Larrazabal.

When is your birthday?

September 27, 1971.

How long have you been married?

Eight years in November.

What did you do before you became a commissioner?

I was Comelec regional director (Region VIII, Acting RED Region V) and provincial election supervisor (Bulacan, Basilan for the ARMM Elections). 

Where did you go to school? What course did you take?

University of San Carlos (Bachelor of Laws).

When you were a kid, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?

A grown-up person.

What was your first job?

After law school, I was a legal researcher. But during summers while in college, I would work as a DJ.

How many kids do you have? How many are you planning on having?

One cute, smart, charming boy. That’s about it for now.

What do you usually do during your free time?

Bike or think about biking when I’m too tired to move a muscle. Download movies and lots of applications on my iPad. Watch movies. Eat. Play with my son.

If you get a chance to choose your leading lady in a Hollywood movie, who would it be and why?

Assuming that my wife won’t be reading this, Angelina Jolie. Res ipsa loquitor. (The thing speaks for itself.)

What kind of movie would it be?

Comedy. What can I say, I’m a funny guy. 

If you were given a 10-day vacation, how and where would you spend it and why?

Lhasa and Kathmandu to bike but my wife and kid will surely protest, so I’m stuck with either HK Disneyland or Ocean Park or the new Universal Studios in Singapore.

What is the most romantic thing you have ever done?

According to my wife, nothing. Seriously, my wedding vows made a lot of people cry, myself included. I also asked the band (Parliament Syndicate, if I remember right) to sing our wedding song, That’s All. 

If you were given a chance to travel back in time and make some changes, what point in time would you want to go back to?

I wasn’t there when my dad passed away. I missed it by about an hour. I will always regret not being there for the man who was always (and I mean always) there for me when it mattered most.

Why do you think you were chosen as one of the commissioners of COMELEC?

I was the president of Comelec Regional and Asstistant Directors Organization. They signed a manifesto endorsing me to PGMA. I was appointed shortly after.

If you were to compare the Philippine elections to a movie, what movie would it be and why?

Inglourious Basterds. The good always triumphs against the bad. There’s redemption at the end.

What are the changes that you would want to see done within your lifetime?

The country united as one.

Cartoon character word association test:

Representative Teddy Boy Locsin: Head of the Justice League. (Teddy Boy is one fair, straightforward and level-headed guy.)

Representative Annie Susano: Mrs. Incredible.

Cesar Flores: Hercules (never runs out of strength despite the grilling in Congress). 

President-elect Noynoy Aquino: Buzz Lightyear (To infinity and beyond!).

Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay: Woody (hoping he will work well with Buzz Lightyear).

@PCOSmachine: Iron Man or should I say Ratatouille (amazing imagination).

Director James Jimenez: Bob the Builder (always there to save the day).

Outgoing President GMA: I’d rather not comment.

What is your message to the Filipino people?

This is my first and last election as your commissioner. The experience has been, without doubt, more than rewarding and I will forever be grateful for the support and the confidence you gave me. I have said this before: the system was far from perfect, but it is a good start for us. All it took was for the Filipino people to take a leap of faith towards clean and credible elections and we achieved it despite the challenges and the odds. Believe that 2013 will be much better, take an active part in rebuilding our nation — and make your vote count!