Feature: Little Governor: a Nation Builder in the Making

For one day, the provincial capitol is seated by a little governor during the bicentennial edition of the Open Capitol this month.

On February 14, eleven-year-old Airysh Abygaelle Guillermo became the “mini-me” of Governor Imee Marcos and led the lineup of other “junior officials” who represented provincial heads and mayors.

As soon as Guillermo walked on the stage for introduction, the people noticed an apparent resemblance with the present governor.

Both of them became the center of attraction because of their similar outfit and hairstyle.

With the signature fashion style of Governor Marcos, Guillermo is also dressed up with a blue-checkered blouse with floral patches and red pants.

The governor is delighted to see a spitting image of herself, with all of Guillermo’s looks, attitude, and even aspirations to become a leader one day just like her.

Guillermo is a student of the Catalino Acosta Memorial Elementary School in Batac City who favorably won the covetable position of being a little governor for a day.

Her family and teachers can attest to her desire to become a governor just like her idol, Governor Imee Marcos.

She knows how to socialize and even project a good smile in front of the camera- something that Ilocanos can note of the lady governor.

Guillermo considers Marcos as her idol because of her compassion to the needs of the poor, determination to make the land progressive, and her wisdom as the chief of the province.

Through the Open Capitol, the experience to become a little governor humbled her and made her realize the hectic yet fulfilling job of the provincial governor.  All the more that she wants to become a leader someday and help to develop the community.

“A path didn’t start as a path, someone must walk on it to become a path. This quote inspires me because before you can get what you want, you must start working on it until you can achieve that dream,” the little governor said.

The province is not just plenty with talents but a fertile ground of future world changers and nation builders. (JNPD/MJTAB/PIA-1, Ilocos Norte)