It was a hot and hectic Friday afternoon when The Sunday Times Magazine paid a visit to the home of Florida and Arthur Robes, the “power couple” of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan province. Husband and wife are the incumbent mayor and representative of this first class city, which lies at the border of Metro Manila’s Caloocan and Quezon cities.

The sun hot above their heads and humidity at its peak, San Jose del Monte citizens were nevertheless queueing up within the vicinity of the City Mayor’s Office for financial assistance. Inside, the scene was just as busy, with Mayor Arthur’s staff attending to scholars applying for educational assistance, and their boss going through what seemed like an endless schedule of meetings.