Polibiz
The young man they call 'Lex T'
Had he joined the auditions for the new edition of ABS-CBN's "Pinoy Big Brother", Nielex "Lex T" Tupas would have easily passed with flying colors because of his good looks and charisma not to mention his intellectual savvy.
But Lex T's credentials are too much for such a celebrity TV show which normally belongs only to those hankering for a showbiz career. Lex T deserves a more challenging field where he can parade his own innate talent and make use his full potential as a gifted human being.
Thus the matinee idol-looking hombre, the youngest son of Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. and former Barotac Viejo mayor Myrna Causing Tupas, is being pushed by some residents of Iloilo City to vie for a seat in the Iloilo City Council in the 2007 elections.
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Only in his early 20s, Lex T has already manifested signs of being a good leader. This could be the reason why Councilor Jed Patrick Mabilog always bring with him Lex T in his barangay sorties these past months. Mabilog must have seen in Lex T the potential of a political leader and so tagging along this soft-spoken native of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo could prove to be a political luck. (We heard that Councilor Mabilog will run for vice mayor under the administration ticket).
If the elections will be held next month, there is no doubt that Lex T is a shoo-in for the top 5 finishers in the contest for 12 elective seats.
Since January this year, Lex T has been silently penetrating the different barangays in Iloilo City with his medical missions and other charitable works that benefited not only the senior citizens but also out-of-school youths, the marginalized residents, and the students.
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He seems to have inherited the energy of his father when it comes to holding dialogues with the "masa" and by being visible in almost all barangay fiestas either as guest of honor or plain fiesta goer.
Lex T is determined to prove the critics of his family that he can make his own destiny and chart his own political future even without banking on the popularity of his father who is already on his way to retirement from public service anytime from now.
Lawyer-journalist Pet Melliza once thought Lex T's talent was confined only in organizing concert shows. He was amazed to learn that the young Tupas was recently admitted to the Rotary International of Jaro-Iloilo City where he was welcomed with open arms by the likes of DTI Regional Director Dominic Abad, journalist Alex Vidal, Engr. Ramon Hechanova, Barotac Nuevo Councilor Luis Perez, among other bigwigs in the prestigious club.
In fact, according to Alex, Lex T recently earned the respect of their colleagues in the Rotary Club when he rendered a heart-warming prayer and praised the family of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. "for bringing honor and projects to the Ilonggos" during the club's recent 19th induction ceremony in Amigo Terrace Hotel.
"Nels, the prayer of Lex T earned a special remark from our past president Rene Gayanillo because it came from his heart and he dedicated it to Congressman Raul Gonzalez, Jr. who was present as the guest speaker," Alex reported. "This guy Lex T is a classic example of silent water that runs deep."