MANILA, Philippines - Unknown to many, I am one of the descendants of the Cavite hero and the country?s first president?Emilio Aguinaldo.

He is my grand uncle; the first cousin of my grandfather, Baldomero Aguinaldo.

I remember meeting my grand uncle when I was 5 years old. I was brought to him by my Lola Petrona, the widow of Lolo Baldomero, and my mother Leonor. That was in 1936 and my grand uncle was already 67 at that time.

I remember the General (Emilio Aguinaldo) to be very soft-spoken and kind.

But being very young at that time, I did not get to talk much with him.

It was my Lola Petrona who would tell me stories about life during the revolution, and how my Lolo Emilio had a great part in leading the revolution.

Living up to the Aguinaldo name

Emilio Aguinaldo is an inspiration. In 1899, he was elected President of the Republica ng Filipinas, the first republic in Asia. It?s rare to have a 29-year-old to be the president of the country.

He had exceptional leadership qualities. At 17, Lolo Emilio was already serving as Cabesa de Barangay (Barangay Head) of Kawit, Cavite. In two years, he was elected as Kapitan Municipal de Cavite Viejo. At a very young age, he already knew how to deal with people, even those much older than him.

My Lolo Baldomero was very much part of the Revolution. He was President of the Magdalo Council of the Katipunan and became the first Director of Finance in the Revolutionary Government, among other responsibilities.

Baldomero was the first Secretary of Finance of the Revolutionary Government. And, by chance, I also became Secretary then Minister of Finance during the Marcos Administration.

I was also destined to be a public servant. After graduation, I started teaching in 1953 in the country?s premiere state university, UP, and was professor and dean in the College of Business Administration from 1960-1968.

It was in 1967 when I joined the Presidential Economic Staff of PES, or what is now known as the Presidential Management Staff or PMS, where I was designated Deputy Director General in charge of Investments. Subsequently, I was appointed Undersecretary for the Board of Investments and then first Chairman of the Board of Investments.

After two years at BOI, President Marcos told me that then Finance Secretary Eduardo Romualdez had recommended me to succeed him. So, for 16 years, I served as Secretary then Minister of Finance during the Marcos regime. I ended my stint in government when President Aquino took over in 1986. After that, I started my own consulting firm C. Virata and Associates. In 1955, I was invited by Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco as Chairman of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation during his tour of duty in Japan.

Generations of public servants

We have other members of the Aguinaldo clan who have made a name in government. Supreme Court Justice Ameurfina A.M. Herrera, granddaughter of General Emilio Aguinaldo, served the Judiciary. She is now Chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Academy. Of recent, my nephew Cong. Joseph Emilio ?Jun? Aguinaldo Abaya is seated as the representative of the First District of Cavite.

Graduating from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland US, Jun was a Naval officer before accepting an offer to become Cory Aquino?s aide-de-camp during her last consecutive terms last year.

The General?s hometown of Kawit also saw a generation of Aguinaldos serving the local government. People have seen the great things Emilio Aguinaldo has done for Cavite and the entire country. And they expect the same greatness from his descendants.

The lasting goodwill behind the name definitely helps to clinch a victory in the elections. Also of recent, my nephew, Reynaldo ?Tik? Aguinaldo is the incumbent municipal mayor since 2007. Before this, he also served as vice mayor for nine years. The current vice mayor is Emilio Aguinaldo IV.

Vanguard of progress

Although my family now resides in Ortigas, Pasig City, I still frequent Cavite. We would spend weekends and holidays in one of my children?s house in Silang.

It makes me happy to see how Cavite has developed over the years. I have taken note of the fact that the SM Group has a lot of investments in Cavite. They have three malls; in Bacoor, Dasmariñas, and Molino. In addition, they have expanded and improved the Taal Vista Hotel and developed Tagaytay Highlands.

Henry Sy joined Manila Jaycees at the same time I did?sometime in 1958. I remember Manila Jaycees held some meeting in his hotel/ restaurant in Quiapo. I think that was his first venture in hotel, but perhaps it was not that successful, as it eventually became a department store.

As far as I know, Henry Sy used to travel to search for new designs and improved manufacture methods for his shoe products. He flew to Italy and US, then brought back fresh design ideas which were presented to the Marikina Shoe makers.

I remember Henry Sy saying that he wanted to build big malls?because a big mall with complete facilities would attract people. I was Minister of Finance when Henry Sy bought from GSIS the North EDSA, Quezon City lot where the first mall now stands.

Malls depend greatly on population size. Cavite has become populated as an offshoot of its industrialization. In the 2007 Census, Cavite province had become to be the No. 1 in population. Meralco is serving all of Cavite?s need for power. PLDT and other telecom companies are also in Cavite. Former Governor Remulla put in place policies for industrial peace within the economic zones. Cavite has indeed become a good setting for malls. And that is why SM has its three malls at Bacoor, Dasmariñas, and Molino in Cavite at present.

Aside from bringing in more revenues for the local government, the SMs brought about much convenience for the Caviteños. They go to the malls for their needs as well as for dining and entertainment. SM is where families would spend quality time together.

Personally, I go to SM malls for art events, or whenever I need something. Since we live close to Podium, it became convenient for us to eat there on Sundays. I would also watch movies with my grandchildren at the IMAX theater at the Mall of Asia.

It is a different story with my wife. She loves to shop at SM for our appliance needs, for gifts, among other items. In fact, my wife may even be one of SM?s first clientele in its store in Avenida, Rizal.

I am still very much committed to devoting myself to bringing progress to my province.

I head Cavite?s Historical Society. I also chair the Coastal Road Corporation, which currently handles the project extending the Coastal Road which will be the key to the decongestion of traffic in Cavite.

Cavite will always be a big part of my life the way my Lolo Emilio had made an inedible mark in our family, the entire province and our country.