Joe Taruc V, also known as "Popoy," has practically thrown his hat in the political ring and joined the medical missions and campaign sorties of third district Rep. Aurelio Umali, who has announced his intentions to seek the governorship against Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson.
The younger Taruc is being touted by members of the Lakas-CMD, of which Umali is provincial chairman, as his running mate.
He may be pitted against senior board member Edward Thomas Joson, the eldest son of three-term Gov. Tomas Joson III, or comebacking former vice governor Eduardo Joson IV.
The younger Taruc is a kumpare of Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. who, along with fellow actor Rudy Fernandez, stood as a godfather to his child.
Popoy, 27, is the youngest of the Taruc brood of four, the three others being Joe III or Jay, Jek and Joan. He was first thrust into the limelight as the hermano mayor of this city’s fiesta celebration last year.
The Tarucs hail from Barangay San Vicente and count on name recall for which the Josons are long known for. Curiously, the elder Taruc, known in media circles as Manong Joe, is considered a close friend of Tomas III.
Manong Joe is executive vice president and station manager of dzRH, one of the leading radio stations in the country.
Jay or Joe Taruc III, the eldest, is a mainstay of GMA-7, while Jek manages the family business.
A marketing major of the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), the younger Taruc worked as chief of staff and program coordinator of his more illustrious father.
Popoy said he was touched by his father’s show of love and affection for the poor, particularly those in the province.
"Pag ang lumalapit sa kanya na taga-Nueva Ecija, mahal na mahal niya. Iba ang pagmamahal niya sa taga-Nueva Ecija. (When those who approach him are from Nueva Ecija, he love them so much. He loves those from Nueva Ecija differently)," he said.
"I want to continue with that. We want pagbabago (change)," he added.
Popoy recalled that he and Umali became a political item since the congressman invited him to join his medical missions around the province last December.
Their bonding and chemistry became evident among supporters of Umali. Never mind, he said, that their tandem, geography-wise, was politically unwise since they both hail from the southern part of the province.
"Oyie and I do blend. Our personalities jive. What is important is I believe in him and in his vision," he said.
Popoy nearly entered politics last year when Umali reserved for him one of the Lakas-CMD’s three available slots for board member in the fourth congressional district. But the plan fell through.