Considered a folk hero in Marikina Valley, Bayani Fernando started as a Sacristan (church worker) when he was a toddler.As a young engineer, his firm constructed one of the tallest buildings in the commercial district of the Philippines. He was also known as a businessman who blocked the ready - to - fire military tanks of the Pro - Marcos Forces with his construction equipments during the EDSA Revolution, in his desire to protect the innocent people.Then, he became known as a pro - poor Mayor giving 11,000 homes to homeless people.President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo could not help but notice this low key man and appointed him to her Cabinet as the Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority and went on solving the perennial traffic, garbage, and brakdown of discipline in the country's capital region. Today, lots of Filipinos all over the country are urging him to run for President fitting him against traditional and well moneyed politicians.
by Prof. Toti Dulay December 16, 2008