03/05/2025
I’ve always believed that true service doesn’t need an audience.
I stood in front of our home—greeting neighbors, lending a hand, offering whatever little I could. For many, I may just be another candidate for the Sangguniang Bayan. But for those who truly know me, you know where this desire to serve comes from.
I was raised in a home where service was never announced - it was lived.
My father wasn’t a man of many words, but his actions spoke volumes. We didn’t have much growing up. But whatever little we had, Papa shared. I remember our small pharmacy, how people would come at all hours, hoping for help. And he would give what he could, sometimes medicines for free, sometimes just a word of comfort. He never expected anything in return.
Our family car? It became the town’s ambulance. I’ve seen Papa drive through the roads of Pagudpud to help the sick or injured—no hesitation, no questions. Just action. Our small businesses were open to everyone, not for profit, but because it was the right thing to do.
That’s the kind of home I grew up in. That’s the kind of example I carry with me every day.
So no, this decision to serve didn’t come overnight. It’s been a quiet calling my whole life. I’m not here for fame. Not for power. I’m here because I know what it means to listen, to show up, and to work for those who often feel unseen.
I’m working on ideas and solutions not for the few, but for the many—especially for those who need it most. I may not be perfect. I don’t pretend to be. But my heart is real. My purpose is clear.
This isn’t just my story. It’s my father's legacy. One built on quiet, consistent service. And now, I hope to continue that legacy—this time, as your voice in the Sangguniang Bayan.
With your trust, I’m ready to serve.
Efren Cimatu Jr.
(Photo Credits to Kuya Raffy and the Blue Team )