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Alfred Vargas on being a politician and actor

Alfred Vargas on balancing life as a politician and actor

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Rhea Manila Santos

<p>After earning a master’s degree in public administration from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance in 2021, Alfred Vargas said he is not done learning after applying for the PhD program in the same school where he attends online classes for twice a week.</p><p>“Hirap na hirap ako (laughs). Kasi katulad nung isang midterm exam namin, nagulat ako merong objective identification tapos i-a-identify mo yung mga republic acts, mga ganun. Akala ko bagsak ako. Nagulat ako okay naman pala.</p><p>“Kasi yung inaaral ko ngayon, yung gusto ko maging PhD ko, Urban and Regional Planning. Gusto ko maging urban planner. Eh four years ito tapos one semester pa lang ako hirap na ako. Paano pa kaya yung susunod?</p><p>“Actually challenge din yung hybrid set-up, online. Ako old school ako, mas gusto pumapasok face to face. Pati sa presscon mas gusto ko face to face eh. Hirap ako pero nakaka-adapt na ako. Very technical kasi yung inaaral ko. Dapat talaga nag-me-memorize ka, dapat nagbabasa ka. Mas matagal magbasa eh kaysa yung class,” he shared.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrIgD78pLMf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A948329.1999999881%2C%22ls%22%3A947922.1000000238%2C%22le%22%3A948322.8000000119%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="723" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/12/31/videos/alfred-vargas-nagbigay-reaksyon-sa-paratang-na-si-190751" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH: Alfred Vargas, nagbigay reaksyon sa paratang na siya ay corrupt na pulitiko</strong></a></div><p>Alfred said he is able to apply his memorization skills as an actor when studying.</p><p>“Ginagamit ko yun, yung techniques ko for memorization. Pero minsan may mga terms na hindi mo puwedeng gamitin sarili mo ng salita. Pag actor ka, kadalasan sarili mong adlib eh.</p><p>“Pero nag-e-enjoy ako kasi yung mga kaklase ko mga dalubhasa din sa iba’t ibang fields. Mga architect, engineer. Lumalawak yung network ko. Tapos nagugustuhan ko rin maging estudyante kasi tahimik tapos ang ganda ng mga conversations niyo. Eh UP pa naman yun. Yayain mo yung mga kaklase mo sa fishball. Sa Mang Larry’s galing ako dun, Tapos yung five minutes na fishball nagiging 30 minutes. So ako, generally na-e-enjoy ko itong buhay konsehal ko. Kasi ang dami kong free time, nagagawa ko rin yung iba kong gusto,” he explained.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpxFI-WuFX_/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A948339.1000000238%2C%22ls%22%3A947922.1000000238%2C%22le%22%3A948322.8000000119%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="858" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/12/29/fresh-scoops/actor-politician-alfred-vargas-nagbigay-reaksyon-190703" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Actor-Politician Alfred Vargas, nagbigay reaksyon sa paratang na korapsyon</strong></a></div><p>Having to attend up to 17 meetings every week, Alfred shared what he does to keep from getting burnt out.</p><p>“Pag nararamdaman ko yun (pagod) nagbabakasyon na ako. Nagpapa-block ako ng time, hihingi ako ng isang buong araw o dalawang buong araw. Pag super stressed hihingi ako ng four days.</p><p>“Ngayon ang hilig ko sa bahay lang. Parang nagbabakasyon ako sa bahay. Pero ang hilig ko talaga the farm. Yung The Farm at San Benito or yung farm namin sa San Jose, Bulacan. Yun yung personal farm namin. May farm ako dun,” he said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoruKy1p8cp/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A948344.6999999881%2C%22ls%22%3A947922.1000000238%2C%22le%22%3A948322.8000000119%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="856" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Now on his second term as a councilor after previously serving as a congressman, the <em>Pieta </em>actor said he is enjoying his current position because it allows him to pursue his other goals in life. </p><p>“Tingin ko sa sarili ko gusto ko pang magpahinog. Marami pa akong kailangan matutunan. Kahit na naka-nine years akong congressman, pause muna tayo ngayon, kumbaga nagpapahinog pa tayo pagdating sa kaalaman at sa maturity. Para when the time comes, para kung kailangan magdesisyon eh prepared tayo. Ganun.</p><p>“Kaya ako nag-aaral din kasi kailangan ko mag-specialize eh. And gusto ko maging dalubhasa sa isang bagay. Kasi hindi na uubra na hanggang dyan lang yung alam ko. Kailangan updated ka sa lahat,” he admitted.</p><p>As a public servant, Alfred shared what his biggest focus has been and what has inspired him to study more.</p><p>“Gusto ko ma-solve yung problema sa trabaho, sa livelihood. Doon ako naka-focus talaga. Para sa isang bahay, hindi lang isa yung source ng income. Para sana nanay yung nanay meron ding extra income. Turuan natin ng mga skills development yan. Para dalawa yung sources ng income tapos magkaroon ng mas madaming opportunities yung anak para maiahon mo.</p><p>“Sa akin, pag binigyan mo ng trabaho, parang binigyan mo na rin sila ng pag-asa nila sa buhay. Kasi binigyan mo ng dole out or charity, hindi sustainable yun. Pag may trabaho, hindi lang isa sa pamilya kundi dalawa, pangmatagalan na, tapos mapapa-aral pa nila nila yung mga anak nila ng mas maayos, ganun.</p><p>“Yun lang yung single focus ko talaga, to provide jobs. Halimbawa, nung Labor day nag job fair kami. Mga 300 nagpunta. 43 on the spot na-hire. Yung iba nag-return pa for second interview, third interview. So marami pang na-hire. And they were so happy. Pagka sinabi nila, ‘Ah si Alfred Vargas, nabigyan ako ng trabaho dahil diyan!’ Okay na sa akin yun,” he said.</p><p>Even after holding public office, Alfred said he is still an approachable guy.</p><p>“Simple lang ako. Sa katunayan, mas naging accessible ako kasi mas madami akong available na time. Pero pinaka enjoy ko ngayon is mas madami akong time with my family habang maliliit pa yung mga anak. Kasi nung congressman ako masyado akong uptight kasi ang laki ng responsbility. After being a congressman, mas madali na ngayon for me maging konsehal kasi medyo na-master ko na yung paggawa ng batas. Yung ganun,” he added.</p>

<p>Alfred Vargas talks about getting a PhD degree in between acting and fulfilling his duties as a public servant and family man.</p>

Alfred Vargas talks about getting a PhD degree in between acting and fulfilling his duties as a public servant and family man.

Alfred Vargas on balancing life as a politician and actor: ‘Marami pa akong kailangan matutunan’

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Alfred Vargas on balancing life as a politician and actor: ‘Marami pa akong kailangan matutunan’

Rhea Manila Santos

Published Jun 13, 2023 07:24 PM PHT

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