Vegafria shares vision for Olongapo City

Arnold Vegafria, a big name in showbiz and beauty pageants, wants to revamp his hometown, Olongapo City. He’s running for mayor on May 12th, up against Rolen Paulino Jr., Echie Ponge, and Jong Cortez, and he’s promising big changes.

“I know entertainment and tourism,” Vegafria said in an interview with The Manila Times, “and I can bring back Olongapo’s glory days. It used to be the place for entertainment.”

He wants to turn Olongapo into a family-friendly entertainment hotspot, like it was when famous singers performed there, moving away from its old “sin city” image.

Vegafria, who grew up in Olongapo, is focused on building a public hospital so everyone can get healthcare. He was a dentist before entering show business. He also dreams of finding the next big Filipino star, like Lea Salonga, and giving local kids a chance to shine.

As the head of ALV Talent Circuit, he’s worked with beauty queens and performers, and he’s also involved with Miss World Philippines and Miss Grand Philippines. Running under the “Anak ng Gapo” party, he wants to create jobs by boosting tourism, entertainment, and trade.

He plans to highlight Olongapo’s beautiful mountains and beaches, and he wants to explore the idea of a trade port and economic zone to help local businesses.

Vegafria knows Olongapo has talented people and that they need jobs. He respects the work of the current mayor, Paulino, and former mayor, James Gordon, but believes Olongapo still has a lot of untapped potential and room to grow.