ABIGAIL BINAY
Mayor, Makati City
The Filipino now is empowered and eager. Empowered with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and of what he aspires to become. He is also eager to take part in a future where technological advancement is king, where skill is the greatest equalizer and poverty is not necessarily a deterrent to progress. The traits of a woman that I
bring to my job are 1) tenacity, I fight for what I believe is right notwithstanding personal cost and sacrifice; 2) a sense of order and discipline. I cannot govern in disarray. There should always be a semblance of structure, a rhyme and reason to policy. I am a stickler for rules. 3) compassion, I can never look at death, injury or abuse in terms of cold numbers particularly when children are involved. Loss to me is real, it impacts lives. Parents grieve, children suffer. Women mayors are different from men because as a woman, I am first and foremost a mother. I cannot look at children and not think of my own. What I want people to know/ experience about Makati is that we are aggressively moving towards a digital future. We are solving traditional problems by pursuing unconventional solutions. The most misunderstood thing about my family is that we don’t value legacy. I am here precisely to continue what my father, the former VP Jojo Binay, started and to take his vision a step further. What makes me realize I am in the right job is every time I would go home, literally ready to crawl into bed out of sheer exhaustion. There is rarely a notso-busy workday in City Hall. Afterwards, I have to go to the different barangays for project inspections and weekly dialogues. Then I bring home this huge box of “homework.” Then I deal with criticism, the bashing and the never-ending politicking. But it is during these most difficult and trying times that I am reminded why I am here — to serve. I am inspired by my daughter. She is such a keen observer that she takes note of my every word and action. To her, I am the best example there is, so I work my hardest to deserve her trust and respect.
The things that make me happy are life’s simplest pleasures like an afternoon with my daughter doing anything she wants. Netflix marathon with my husband. Good food enjoyed at home. Building Lego sets.
The things I want my child learn are humility and that privilege is fleeting, the exercise of power optional. I would take a first-time visitor to the Philippines to Makati so that they can see the country’s vibrant financial district, taste the best local and fusion dishes in our Poblacion heritage site, experience our innovative public services, and most of all, feel the hospitality of our proud Makatizens.