Polibiz
Excel James Torres dreams big for Tigbauan
An interview with Excel James Torres has finally been realized last Saturday after a much long delay due to his hectic schedule visiting every nook and cranny of all the barangays in his town.
After a few minutes of waiting, Excel appeared in shirt and denims carrying with him a sports bag hanging loosely right on his shoulder.
A simple hi-hello was enough for both of us to break the ice as we ascended to another floor of their mansion to conduct the interview. The place I think was just appropriate with nobody around to disturb us.
Without further ado I right away requested him to describe himself as a son, a father and as himself.
Excel did not make any lengthy description of what I was requesting. No hyperbole. No hard selling. No beating around the bush. The reply is short but significantly an honest to goodness phrase, “I am a loving father, a loving son and a loving person.”
At 29, Excel was blessed with two gorgeous kids, a girl and a boy, ages 9 and 5, respectively. He is married to Lisa Fajardo, daughter of a known political clan in Nueva Ecija.
Mayor Myrna Torres of Tigbauan is finishing her last term and personally picked her son Excel to take over to continue her unfinished dreams for the Tigbaueños.
It was a challenge Excel accepted without reservation.
His being a Political Science graduate from Dela Salle University, Manila, had certainly came in handy as it would somehow help him in his mayoralty bid in the forthcoming May local elections.
Excel admits he speaks a little of his late father, Don Jaime Torres’ native tongue, but the willingness to learn the dialect for better communication with the common folks is seriously considered.
Excel is not totally a stranger to politics. At a younger age when he was barely in his teens, he started to campaign for his father who ran as a congressional candidate in Quezon City but lost.
At Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon City, he had his share of campus politics. Even his friends and classmates alike are either sons or daughters of politicians.
As for his father, despite the late Jaime Torres' dream for the people of the first district he was just unlucky to get the post he wanted. Apparently, the political arena was not really meant for him.
He may have then the resources but was spent unwisely; he was surrounded with a lot of people from all walks of life but they are not the right ones; he had the organizations, but with very weak foundations; he got friends from the media, but mostly were a handpick of mediocrity; he had enough of political advisers, but they focused more on how to suck him dry making sure not a single drop can be squeezed from his pocket.
In essence, James became a milking cow of every Dick and Harry especially during election fever because of his generosity.
The younger Excel however must be extra cautious in dealing with different personalities who used to be identified with his father as they could be a Trojan horse in disguise.
I can see in him the sincerity and the determination to take over the helm from what his mother had started: planting the seeds of hope to progress. It needs constant nourishment and it is where Excel perfectly fits in.
Excel comes at the right time, the right place, for the right reason.
Prior to joining politics, Excel was Vice President for Operations of the family owned Saint James College which has campuses in various parts of Metro Manila. His past work experience has prepared him in handling corporate governance which is suitably applicable in his political endeavor.
Excel wants to take things in their proper perspective for a fresh-start when his time to govern his hometown begins.
The construction of a modern Public Market building her mother failed to realize, Excel wishes it done if the right opportunity comes. All the requirements needed for the said project are already in place. Unfortunately, majority of the members of the Sangguniang Bayan hostile to the mayor moved heaven and earth to oppose the project. In the process Tigbaueños were deprived the comfort of having a modern market which could have attracted prospective investors in their locality.
The scarcity of the water system caused by the current long dry spell is another major area of concern Excel Torres wanted to pay immediate attention to. He has a plan for this.
Health, education, and maintenance of peace and order are also included in his priorities not to mention alternative livelihood for the farmers and fisher folks.
Excel dreams big. He wants to make it good. He possesses the qualities of what it takes to be a leader at par: youth, courage, health, intellect and good breeding.