I WAS there, and I had offered myself to the Filipinos. I did my assignment, and I did well in my preparations. I failed, but I dared to challenge.

My hope was anchored on the fact that, then in the post-pandemic era, there were three major crises — education, health and economy — and I happen to have the expertise in those areas. I was Isko Moreno's choice as I was the only candidate (in fact, the first in history) who holds a professional license as a teacher, a doctor of education and doctor of humanities, and a learned educator. I am a dual licensed health professional — nurse and midwife — and a professor in health sciences. I come from the MSME sector — as an internationally schooled entrepreneur, business professor, best-selling author, business leader and advocate. My numerous awards are testament to my achievement in these areas, which at the time were critical for the post-pandemic recovery.