About Rene
*This article was originally published in the Bohol’s Choice Cuts section of The Bohol Chronicle dated December 20th, 2009 (Sunday). The piece was written by Loy M. Palapos.
Life is never a series of laurels lined up for the incessant celebrations; but a juxtaposition of victories and defeats, of laughter and tears. Success is not measured by sheer quantity nor their material equivalent, but how a person rises each time he falls.
Former Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos has been through a roller-coaster existence, especially in his political career. Prior to his ascent, he was “the boy next door”, uncertain of his career path. At the Faculty Room of Divine Word College (Holy Name University), where he was teaching Philosophy, he talked of wanting to be a Priest. As an Instructor, he was well-liked by his students, peers and administration; thus, his promotion came fast: College Athletic Coordinator, and later Assistant Director for Students Affairs. It was also during this time when he enrolled in the DWC College of Law, finishing Bachelor of Laws in 1990.
Rene was born in Tagbilaran City on December 28, 1963 to former Loon Mayor and Provincial Board Member Juan “Aning” Relampagos and Esperanza “Nene” Lopez-Relampagos, who capped her public service career as the Field Officer of SSS. She is presently a perennial pillar of the Catholic Women’s League. He finished his elementary education at the Holy Spirit School (1970-76). He enrolled at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and graduated as Valedictorian in 1980. It was at IHMS that he nurtured the dream of becoming a Priest, an inclination favored by his entire family. He went to the Ateneo de Manila University and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. Still nurturing the dream of a Godly career he was taken in at Divine Word College as a College Instructor in 1984.
His entry into public service and political career was uneventful, for it came at a time when his desire to go back to the Seminary was still budding. He just happened to be around when he was needed… a case of being in the right place at the right time. The then Governor Constantino Torralba was looking for somebody to represent the youth of Bohol, when the KB (Kabataang Barangay) faded away. I was tapped by the OIC-Governor as a Technical Consultant on Special Studies/Projects. In a meeting, the need to appoint a youth leader came into focus. The name of Rene Relampagos was mentioned, and he bacme the unanimous choice. I was the one assigned to contact him, so he could have an audience with the Governor. The following day, I met him at the DWC Faculty Room and I told him about the plan to reorganize the youth sector through him. The young Rene met my invitation with nonchalance, I did not perceive any sign that he was interested in what I said. It took two weeks before I purposely saw him again to make the offer. This time, although he did not show signs of eagerness, he told me he will consult his parents. It was another couple of weeks before the DWC Assistant Director for Student Affairs and Governor Torralba met. The result was affirmative.
The young Philosophy Instructor was designated Technical Consultant for Youth and Sports Development. His first job was to visit all the 47 municipalities and one city of Bohol and organize local Chapters of the Sangguniang Kabataan. As decreed by the National Government headed by President Corazon C. Aquino, a Convention was held in every province. Rene Relampagos was elected SK Federation President without match opposition. Thus officially commenced the saga of being a public servant and a politician.
From 1989 to 1992 Rene had his hands full, a challenge he accepted with enthusiasm and confidence. He was Youth Sector Representative of the Bohol Provincial Peace and Order Council. He was also the Provincial Action Officer for the Kabisig Movement; Action Officer for Operation Drugwatch; and Youth Sector Representative to the Bantay Dagat Provincial Council. In the Regional Convention of the National Coalition of All Filipino Youth, he was elected Regional President of Central Visayas. At the same time he was President of the National Movement of Young Legislators. He served in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan from May 1989 to March 1992.
As Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, he focused on self-sustainability in basic food-crops. As Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development he fostered educational upliftment. From 1990 to 1992 he was elected Regional Secretary of the Provincial Board Members Association of the Philippines, Region VII.
After serving the Province as a Board Member, Mr. Relampagos ran for the position of Vice Governor, and won handily. As Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, he further honed his skills as a public servant and lawmaker. At the same time he was a Columnist of the Bohol Chronicle.
Being the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, he successfully rationalized incomes and expenditures of the province. He also became the Founding Chairman of the Carlos P. Garcia Scholarship Program.
His shining glory in the political scene came in 1995, when the ruling administrative party made him the official candidate for Governor. After a very productive first term, he ran again for Governor and easily won the race on 1998.
For two 3-year terms he labored hard for the Boholanos. It was during those two terms that Bohol was acknowledged, and won several prestigious national awards and recognitions. Among them are the following: Top Province in Assessment Efficiency – Region VII (1988); Regional Silver Award, Most Outstanding Province in Local Budget Administration (1997 and 1998); Website of the Year (Government Category, Philippine Webby Awards) – 1999; Galing Pook Award and Cash Prize: Cultural Renaissance Program (Galing Pook Foundation, AIM, Ford Foundation) – 2000; Galing Pook Award: Bohol Investment Promotion Program (Galing Pook Foundation, AIM, Ford Foundation) – 2000; Outstanding Library of the Philippines (The National Library) – 2000; Guhit Award for Cultural Heritage (for the Diocese of Tagbilaran and the Province of Bohol given by Design and Architecture Magazine) – 2000; Best Performing Peace and Order Council – Region VII (DILG) – 2000; Best Performing LGU-Province Category (PADAC) Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign – Region VII (DILG)-2000; Cash Award for Attaining the Program Benchmarks for CY2001 Ahead of Schedule under the LGU Performance Program (LPP) on Health (DOH/USAID) – 2000; Most Outstanding Province: Philippine Plan of Action and Nutrition – Region VII (CSC) – 2000; Province with the Highest Number of Participating Municipalities Nationwide in its Real Property Data Computerization Program under MDP III (BLDGF-DOF) – 2000; Most Outstanding Travel Mart Exhibitor – Visayas Travel Mart (DOT and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry) – 2000; Presidential Awardee, Cleanest and Greenest Province – 1999; Outstanding Province in Real Property Tax Collection – Region VII (BLGF-DOF) – 1999; Outstanding Provincial Disaster and Coordinating Council – Region VII (DILG) – 1999.
It was als also during his six years as Governor that the Province underwent several infrastructure improvements. He transformed the old Provincial Capitol Complex into a modern and environment-friendly edifice, while observing cultural and historal values. He constructed the Garcia Provincial Memorial Hospital in Talibon, and the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center at Cabawan District in Tagbilaran City. Aware of its crucial need, he established the Crisis Center for Abused Women and Children. Governor Relampagos also made the Provincial Capitol Annex Building, and completed the Provincial Health Office. It is worth noting that all these constructions were build out of the available Province funds, unprecedented accomplishments in the history of Bohol.
Governor Relampagos made a Master Plan for the development of Bohol for Eco-Tourism, Agro-Industrial Development and a revival of Bohol Arts and Culture which has instilled in the Boholano a deep pride of place. He also initiated “LAELEP” (Legal Assistance for Effective Law Enforcement Project for Policemen).
Former Governor Relampagos, abreast with his career in public service finally decided priesthood was not for him. He married Imelda “Imee” Adiong. She used to work with the Philippine National Bank, but later, pressured by the responsibilities of being the First Lady of Bohol while caring for a growing family, she decided to devote her time to her husband and children: Kristine Nicole is a freshman student; Kristine Louise is in grade 6; and Juan Marcelo is in grade 2. The three study at Dr. Victoriano D. Tirol Learning Center.
A hiatus in his political career made him decide to go into business; as the Proprietor of ELR Printers, and as President of JM Relampagos Ventures, Inc. Now, he is in top form and in his best elements. He is back where he belongs: public service. He is the administration’s bet in the Congressional race in the First District of Bohol.
Former Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos is our modern-day Phoenix rising from his ashes, ready to soar again.
