Olongapo City Mayor Rolen 'Lenj' Paulino, Jr. is not a smooth talker. Nor does he speak with the mo-notonous drawl of politicians who think themselves God's gift to their constituents. Following a full and engrossing hour-long exchange with the 30-year-old local government chief executive, it is clear to The Sunday Times Magazine that this is one public servant whose last concern is public image. As he says, he was elected to work, so work he does and prioritize.

Albeit speaking from a Zoom screen, Paulino earnestly comes across as an honest and straightforward guy, ready to answer questions sans frills nor airs and much like a friend. In fact, so candid and sincere is the young man that one can easily ask him how he feels when others say he is only in politics to stand in for his father and namesake since Paulino Sr. was forced to back out of the 2019 elections due to a then-pending graft charge. Nevertheless, the 'stand-in' won the people's votes.