- Chuckie Antonio tried showbiz when he was younger, but he found his calling in public service.
- He is seeking for a councilor seat for Quezon City District 3.
- He is the youngest and an independent candidate representing the youth sector.
It is a fact that the Philippines, is run by remarkably few political families. A study in April 2016 shows 70 percent of members of the Congress are part of political dynasties.
According to political activists and analysts, the elite rule and celebrity politics have deeply entrenched in the country’s politics and its elections. Such a route that is both an advantage and a challenge to the 26-year-old Chuckie Antonio, who is seeking office as Councilor for Quezon City’s District 3.
Antonio is an independent candidate who chose to pursue that burning desire to serve his constituents in the said district despite not being affiliated to a political party.
“I wanna push for it because I wanna do it,” those are very words that best describe this young and dynamic individual who only want to serve others.
Being a public servant is something that he enjoys in doing. He is running as Councilor because he wants to continue what he has started.
Some of the programs he’s actively involved with were the house-building and feeding programs of Gawad Kalinga (to which he’s an active member); feeding and lifestyle programs called PLA Loves Me Annual Feeding Program; livelihood, tech-based initiatives, and community job fairs; and the outreach programs by Ateneo Tulong Dunong.
Chuckie possesses good looks and charm; both are beneficial for him to win the hearts of the people. He used to be part of Star Circle in 2010, but he didn’t pursue that part of him since he wants to make a difference in the lives of his constituents in District 3.
Though his District does not have depressed areas, his team works toward lifestyle programs that make the lives of his people easier.What he also wants to stress is that, even if he is representing the youth, the senior citizens are very close to his heart. That sector of his District has also encouraged him to run to serve better the people and the youth at the same time.
“I don’t believe that this new generation is technically better than the last one.
“My point here is–there has to be someone representing the youth when it comes to governing the people. Hindi masama ang dati, kailangan lang haluan ng makabago; para they can work hand in hand to produce something better.”
He may be the youngest, but he doesn’t lack in experience. He believes that has the drive, the aggression to make things better. Being the representative for the youth and the programs for the youth as well as adding some technology into the mix is the key to making things happen.
He earned his entrepreneurial management degree at the University of Asia and the Pacific. He pursued his masters in management (specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation) at Singapore Management University.
Even if he’s the youngest running councilor, he believes he has the drive and the aggression to make things better.