Arnold Vegafria eyes Olongapo's revival

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From managing celebrities to dreaming of managing a city, talent manager and entertainment producer Arnold Vegafria vies for the mayoralty of Olongapo City in the upcoming 2025 elections.

Talent manager and entertainment producer Arnold Vegafria PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK/ARNOLD VEGAFRIA

Best known in showbiz circles as ALV and his ALV Talent Circuit, Vegafria is bringing his decades of experience in entertainment, business, and strategic leadership to the political arena. Running under the "Anak ng Gapo" banner, he hopes to transform his beloved hometown into a "progressive and major tourism destination."

"This is my most fervent wish — to bring back the glory days of Olongapo. We need to rebuild our infrastructure, attract investors and restore the city's status as a key tourism and economic hub," he said during a press forum hosted by Kamuning Bakery Café.

A native son of Olongapo, Vegafria recalled the city's golden era during the 1970s and 1980s, when it was hailed as the "Cradle of Pinoy Rock" and flourished economically due to the presence of the US naval bases.

"All we need to do is revitalize our industrial infrastructure and attract foreign investors and tourists to stimulate the economic boom," he said.

"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 US naval bases," Vegafria added.

Vegafria likens the challenges of city leadership to his experience in managing big-name talents and high-stakes productions as he holds the Philippine franchises for Miss World and Miss Grand International. He was previously business manager to Senator Manny Pacquiao and has worked on major campaigns under PDP-Laban and other political groups. He also co-founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and serves as chairman of the URCC mixed martial arts league.

"I've dealt with high-pressure situations and strong personalities for over two decades. Managing a city requires similar skills — strategic planning, people management and creative thinking," he pointed out.

Though this is not his first political bid — he first ran for mayor in 2022 — Vegafria now feels more prepared and spiritually aligned with the path.

"That time, I wasn't 100 percent committed in my heart... I only campaigned for about three months," he admitted.

"But last year, I felt it was a calling again. I decided just a day before the registration. I went to church and asked for a sign if I should run again to serve my city. The positivity I felt was so strong, that's why I believed that this time I might be fortunate, because the sign given to me was very positive," he continued.

He said that the response from Olongapeños this time around has been overwhelmingly warm.

"Since then up to now, the people of Olongapo are very happy because they're really looking for change. They're looking for a new 'Manager of the People.' I think this time the result of my campaign will be good, and the turnout — very positive turnout in every village I visit."

As a candidate, Vegafria is championing a comprehensive platform focused on job generation, tourism promotion, revitalization of economic zones, health prioritization, educational reform, infrastructure and transportation modernization, environmental protection, sports and cultural development, flood control, waste management, reduction of power charges, and anti-drug campaigns.

IZA IGLESIAS