Monday, June 04, 2007
Next in Line
Iloilo City Councilor Nielex “LEX” Tupas is the youngest son of Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas and Former Barotac Viejo Mayor Myrna Causing-Tupas. He is very much proud of the Tupas name. His two brothers are also in politics, Congressman Niel Tupas Jr and Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas. Although, Lex is the only one who chose a different area for his political plans wherein no TUPAS has yet been voted and that is Iloilo City. Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city which has its own City Mayor and Lone District Congressman. Lex even has said that it was his first time not to vote for his tatay and two brothers.

Councilor Lex Tupas is a professor/teacher by profession. He teaches Economics (4th Year) at School of the Future, Iloilo National High School, Lapaz, Iloilo City since August 2005. He also teaches Masters Programs and undergrad subjects at the Philippine Christian
University and the International Academy of Management and Economics. It may be surprising for a man like him to teach in spite of graduating in prestigious schools like La Salle Greenhills (elementary and high school wherein he was an honor student), Ateneo de Manila University where he finished AB Economics (he was also a Dean's lister), Asian Institute of Management where he finished his post graduate course in Basic Management and UP Dliman Campus where he got his Masters degree in Public Management. “Everybody was surprised why I am teaching but I have learned so much and I’m enjoying it. It is about molding young minds to become good leaders.” He added. For him, teaching will always be a noble profession.

Growing up with his family, he was exposed to public service. He needs to excel in so many things because of too much expectation. He does not want anything easy because he loves challenges in order for him to strive harder. “I took everything as a challenge and it became somehow a yard stick. And that I would strive to perform more than what I think I couldn’t.” Lex said. In achieving his goals, he took it one-step at a time. Small wonder why he excelled in both academics as well as leadership. “tatay would always say, ‘quitters will never be winners because in the very beginning you’ve already lost because you’ve given up.” These are the things that made him pursue everything he wanted.

Lex is also a youth leader as he was overwhelmingly elected as the National Vice President for Students of the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI), the youth wing of Liberal Party. He says, “When it was my time to speak, I told them the realities, never promising on anything. Maybe it was just because I was just being real to them. I think it’s the reason why I was elected.” He is also either the youngest officer or member of Junior Chamber International Iloilo, Rotary Club of Jaro, Knights of Columbus, YMCA, BCBP and other socio-civic organizations. He is also the City Chairman of one of the biggest local political parties, UGYON party which has three incumbent City Councilors in Iloilo and a number of barangay captains, SK Chairmen, barangay kagawads, professionals and individuals in its fold.

In the recent national/local elections, he won as one of the Councilors in Iloilo City garnering almost 73,000 votes. This was the biggest vote for a neophyte and first timer candidate in the city. He could not stop thanking the city residents of their support and for the very warm welcome. Too much exposure in politics is not the reason why he entered in this field but because of his desire to be a public servant who is willing to help and provide the needs of his constituents. He believes in giving a strong voice to the youth of Iloilo. He said, “we have to truly live up to being the future of our country and we have to be part of the process of improving the lives of our fellowmen”.

He is a leader who believes in practicing social responsibility, integrity and word of honor. He also makes sure everything he does is organized and planned well as he believes in working efficiently and effectively. Probably, he will be the next in line in serving the Ilonggos in a bigger capacity in the future.

 
posted by Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas at 7:26 PM | Permalink |


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