Renowned entertainment producer, advertising expert and businessman Arnold Vegafria filed his certificate of candidacy as Olongapo City mayoral bet at the SMX Convention Center, SM Central Olongapo City last October 7.

More popularly known by his initials, ALV, as well as his monicker “Manager ng Bayan,” Vegafria is running under the “Anak ng Gapo” banner. Together with his council slate, he highlighted his platform and advocacies to help reform his hometown into a progressive and major tourism destination.

Included in his councilor slate are Ian Vegafria-Bautista, Macky Alonzo, Erick Elmo Ison, Pocholo Galian, Derrick Manuel, Jan Ibarro, Bong Tocayon, Tina de Leon, Oliver Guerrero, Jerome Ducos and Earl Escusa.

Having spent most of his formative years in Olongapo City, Vegafria fondly remembers the glory days when the city gained renown as the Cradle of Pinoy Rock back in the early ‘70s, as well as the bustling economic and tourism boom when the U.S. military bases were still in the area.

“This is my most fervent wish, to bring back the glory days of Olongapo City the way I remember it best,” Vegafria reminisces.

“All we need to do is to revitalize our industrial infrastructure and attract foreign investors and tourists to stimulate economic boom.”

“I know that it won’t be an easy task, but I am confident that with our team’s dedication, we can rebuild this city and bring back the economic and tourist boom that our city enjoyed during the time of the U.S. naval bases,” he added.

Vegafria has established his legacy as one of the Philippine entertainment industry’s respected talent managers, as well as a prolific film, TV and concert producer, events specialist, and PR impresario.

Prior to starting his multi-faceted business career, he earned his Dentistry degree from the University of the East.

Among his notable achievements, he was a guest speaker at the United Nations World Forum on the Diaspora Economy, U.N. Headquarters, New York, served as juror at the Soho International Film Festival, New York from 2013-2018, was one of the esteemed judges at the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China in 2017 and 2018, was twice awarded Philippine Empowered Men & Women of the Year (2017-2018) from BEST Magazine, awarded National Customers’ Choice Annual Awards 2014 – Certificate of Excellence for ALV Talent Circuit/”Most Outstanding High-Quality Talent Management Agency,” awarded Best Choice Awards 2014 – Certificate of Excellence for Best Choice Talent Management Agency – ALV Talent Circuit, Silver Award/Philippine Star – ALV Consultus Advertising Inc., awarded Top 20 Most Valued Advertising Agencies of the Philippines – ALV Consultus Advertising Inc. (Philippine Star) 2006.

In the global pageant circle, he has also garnered acclaim as the official franchise holder of Miss World Philippines and the Miss Grand Philippines pageants.

A philanthropist and entrepreneur with diverse business interests, Vegafria also dabbled in sports. He was one of the key founders of the Mahalika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), and is also the Chairman of the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) mixed martial arts league.

He was also Senator Manny Pacquiao’s former business manager, and also ventured into politics, having served as the PDP-Laban’s campaign manager, political advisor and consultant, with established ties with some of the country’s prominent government leaders, including incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., former presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, Bato dela Rosa, Dick Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Koko Pimentel, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Dick Gordon, former Defense Secretary and Congressman Gilbert Teodoro, former Ilocos Sur governor and Congressman Chavit Singson, SAGIP-Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, and former Congressman and senatorial aspirant Zajid Mangudadatu.

He also played a major role in the campaigns of the following party lists: YACAP, BUHAY, Ang Probinsyano, Marino, Agimat, Frontliners, Pamilya Ko, Ako-OFW and SAGIP.

Among his key advocacies in his mayoral platform include job generation, tourism promotion, revitalization of economic zones, health prioritization, educational reform, infrastructure and transportation modernization, environmental protection, sports, arts and cultural development, flood control, waste management, reduction of electrical/power charges and anti-drug campaign.

October 09, 2024