The Mayor Juris who believed in me is someone I will always be thankful for.

When I look back at all the awards that came my way since 2024, not one of them would have been possible without Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro. Ours is not the conventional type of friendship.

I believe we never really fit into that mold, but on rare occasions, Matt and I did share a few core-memory moments with him—especially trips like Hong Kong Disneyland and dining at Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill in Newport.

These are experiences we would never have had without his generosity. What stands out most, however, is his name and his signature—present in every nomination I had and in every award I received. None of it would have been possible without the trust and support of the highest authority in the organization I work with.

He could have chosen not to nominate me. And every time I asked if he was willing, he would simply say, “Oo gid lang, ikaw pa ba? Deserve mo ra.” (Of course. Why wouldn’t I? You deserve it.) And whenever I would bring him the news that I had received another award, he would say, “Hambae ko kimo.” (I told you so).

Perhaps the most meaningful of all was winning the national award from the Philippine National Service Volunteer Coordinating Agency’s Search for Outstanding Volunteers – LGU Category.

Without him designating me as the Volunteerism Focal Person of LGU Kalibo, approving the KALIBOluntirs Volunteerism Hub Ordinance, signing the Municipal Volunteerism Council, and allowing me to travel and participate in various volunteerism events, none of it would have happened. So to the boss who gave me more breakthroughs than I could have ever asked for—and who I know will continue to support me in the years ahead—thank you.

And for the meaningful moments you showed up unexpectedly and made a lasting difference. Some leaders lead loudly. Others change lives simply by believing. This is what leadership looks like: believing in people, opening doors, and letting them grow.