| Governor
Eduardo “Among Ed” T. Panlilio is the 6th of the
Panlilio brood of seven. He was born in Minalin, Pampanga
on December 6, 1953 to parents Gervacio Panlilio and Catalina
Tongol. The 53 year-old priest, turned governor, has made
his mark as a prime-mover for social development, a dedicated
and well-loved priest and pastor, and a leader.
During the May 14, 2007 elections, he was elected as the 26th
governor of the Province of Pampanga.
Having served as director of the Social Action Center of Pampanga
from 1984 to 1998, Fr. Eddie T. Panlilio has built a track
record as prime mover for social development and community
building in Pampanga. His many citations and awards, among
them the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award for Community
Service in 1999 and the Archbishop’s Award for Social
Service in 2006, attest to his dedication and commitment to
the peoples’ welfare, and more so, to their empowerment
to stand up, speak out and act for the common good. When Mt.
Pinatubo erupted in 1991, he was one of the leaders who orchestrated
GO-NGO cooperation to help bring Pampanga back on its feet.
He spearheaded the establishment of the Pampanga Association
of NGOs (PAMPANGO) in 1993 and helped found the Talete Panyulung
Kapampangan (TPKI), which has been championing ecumenism and
micro-enterprise for the last 20 years. He was a member of
the Board of Trustees of the Social Action Center of Pampanga,
the social service arm of the Archdiocese of San Fernando.
He currently sits as member of the Board of Directors of the
Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation, Inc. (IMMFI) which
has been involved in the promotion and protection of the welfare
of children with disabilities for the past sixteen years.
Gov. Ed Panlilio lives a simple life, born out of respect
and understanding of the plight of the marginalized and neglected
in Kapampangan society. As a priest, he has been guided by
the mission to “reflect the love of God and witness
the character, personality and qualities of Jesus to help
the people who have been entrusted to his care, especially
the needy.”
The call to a priestly ministry came early on while the young
Ed was in his teens. After finishing elementary at the Minalin
Central Elementary School, he opted to enrol at the Don Bosco
Academy as a sophomore after spending his freshman year at
the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT).
His exposure to seminarians in the religious-run school could
have motivated him to join them as an aspirant.
To
many who have had the chance to work with him, Gov. Ed is
the charismatic leader who leads by example and journeys with
the people in their everyday struggles. Widely known to be
consultative, he takes the time to listen to the peoples’
views and opinions while remaining firm and decisive in his
stand on issues and concerns.
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