'Kap' Ray Rico’s shocking defeat

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.”
--Arnold H. Glasow

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- The reason why I am writing about the shocking defeat of my friend, Punong Barangay Ray “Toto Ray” Gadong Rico of PHHC Block 22, Mandurriao, Iloilo City in the recent Philippine barangay elections, is because I feel what he feels.
It’s because he’s not supposed to lose, in the first place.
With his satisfying and impressive record in making his village great, Kap Ray is a big loss.
He is not a tamad (lazy) or a pabaya (negligent) leader who deserves the boot.
Kap Ray’s heart has always been for the barangay; he has always been a proud servant to residents of a peaceful village known for their civic and religious involvement, educational attainment and high level of professionalism.
I know that Kap Ray and his younger brother, Boyet, also my dear friend and a former punong barangay (village chief) himself who once served as Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s executive adviser for community affairs, are not on speaking terms.
But I didn’t know that Kap Boyet reportedly “did not campaign” for Kap Ray.

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Did Kap Boyet campaign for Kap Ray’s tormentor, newly elected Kap Biboy Dolar?
I am not a resident of Brgy. PHHC Block 22, Mandurriao, thus I have no business to begrudge newly elected Kap Biboy Dolar’s win.
I heard he is also a gentleman and a good leader like Kap Ray. If only that barangay can elect two chiefs.
While I feel a deep sense of empathy for Kap Ray, I respect Kap Boyet’s choice and decision.
Also well-loved in their barangay and one of the most trusted advisers of Rep. Jerry P. Treñas, Kap Boyet may have his own reason for “not supporting” Kap Ray.
Kap Ray has been arguably one of the most diligent and productive village chiefs in Iloilo City; he is, in fact, a potential ex-officio member of the city council representing the Liga ng mga Barangay (with due respect to Councilor Kap Reyland Hervias).
Since day one of his ascension as punong barangay, Kap Ray has literally placed Brgy. PHHC Block 22 on the map with his incredible projects that include road widening, beautification and sports programs, community library, among other head-turning infrastructure projects.

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Kap Ray’s unwavering love for the youth is manifested by the consistent mushrooming of reading materials, toys, appliances and other useful items in their day care center, parroting the famous adage of his late father, the great Ilonggo leader, Atty. Kiddy Rico: “Buas damlang sang pamatan-on, aton talupangdon” (We must recognize and prioritize what is good and essential for the future of the young generation).
Under his leadership, Brgy. PHHC Block 22 became known as among those with most active and relentless Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
Kap Ray gave priority to sports program and development “because that is the easiest way to save the youths from illegal drugs,” he once sighed.
I would like to share to Kap Ray one of the most popular quotes from Winston Churchill about success and failure: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
For sure, Kap Ray’s recent election debacle did not snatch away the enthusiasm and spirit to serve, which he has been cultivating deep in his heart. After one failure, Kap Ray will surely bounce back.