Quezon 2nd district board member Elizabeth Sio by John A. Bello She calls herself ‘Best Beth ng Bayan’ and this catapulted the virtual ...
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| Quezon 2nd district board member Elizabeth Sio |
She calls herself ‘Best Beth ng Bayan’ and this catapulted the virtual political neophyte Elizabeth Sio into her now 2nd term as provincial board member representing the province’ vote- rich 2nd District which comprises the city of Lucena and the municipalities of San Antonio, Dolores, Tiaong, Candelaria and Sariaya.
The soft-spoken and almost always well-coiffed Sio is one of the 5 lady local legislators representing the province in Sangguniang Panglalawigan headed by Vice Governor and Presiding Officer Samuel Nantes: Aileen Resplandor Buan of the 1st District, Sio of the 2nd district, Rhodora Tan and Raquel Mendoza of the 4th District and the newest SP member, Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation president Iris Armando.
As SP member, Sio chairs the three SP committees on Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Health and Sanitation.
When Nantes is absent in SP regular sessions, Sio, as the SP member with the highest number of votes among her colleagues, gets to act as presiding officer of the province’ highest legislative council and policymaking body that crafts and enacts local ordinances and resolutions and approves measures passed by 39 municipal councils and 1 city council, that of Tayabas city.
Many would say Sio is a look-alike of movie actress Marian Rivera and in public occasions she would be gamely introduced as ‘Marian Rivera ng Sangguniang Panglalawigan.’
At present, Sio is the president of Lady Local Legislators League - Quezon chapter which had its grand assembly last July 25 at Quezon Premier Hotel in Bgy. Gulang-Gulang Diversion Road and gathered women leaders all over Quezon province.
Political Unknown
Sio is virtually a political unknown and she is pushing fifty years old when she ventured in 2010 into the political arena in Quezon province.
“I was turning 50 when I first venture into the political world. I have spent my life for my family, my business, myself. It’s now time to expand my services to reach out spending another half of my whole life to my constituents,” she told this writer in an exclusive interview in her office at the Sangguniang Panglalawigan.
Egged on to elaborate, Sio said that Bishop Tony Marioghae, head of their born-again Christian denomination, told her in 2010 to run for a political position and assured her that she will win.
“I don’t have any political bloodline, no political inclination. The only thing I know is I just kept on praying that I should bear fruits for God’s glory; that I can do lasting things for His name, that my life will be a purpose-driven and fruitful one, that God will use me for His kingdom,” Sio, obviously with a religious bent of mind and heart, said intently, candidly, adding:
“Ang tangi kong masasabi sa pagpasok ko sa mundo ng politika na ito ay isang calling mula sa Panginoon. “
During the electoral campaign as neophyte politician, she adopted the acronym BEST which means Bridging Enterprises and Services Together. Her political advocacy, which is also an acronym of BETH SIO, covers Barangay empowerment, Education and youth development, Tourism and trade and industry promotions, Health and social services, Skills training and job generation, Integrated agricultural resources management and Organized bureaucracy.
Consistent Honor Student
Bocal Beth was born in San Juan, Batangas, happily married to Bishop Ricardo Licup Sio and they have their love nest in Bgy. Malabanban Norte, Candelaria.A consistent honor student in San Juan West Elem. School in her hometown in San Juan, Sio went on to become a consistent first honor student in high school at Joseph Marello Institute, bagging a Sen. Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and becoming valedictorian and National College Entrance Examination topnotcher in her school. She was a full scholar taking up B.S. Psychology at University of Sto. Tomas and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in an International Correspondence School.
The Sio couple had 5 kids who all finished their academic schooling: Kathleen Ann who took up B.S. Information Technology; Neil Emerson, B.S. Enterprenuerial Management; Karen Rachel, B.S. Economics, all in University of Asia and the Pacific; Nathaniel Eric, B.S. Business Psychology in De La Salle University and Bachelor of Law in San Beda University; and Erwin Kristoffer, B.S. Legal Management in Ateneo de Manila University.
Before politics and public service claimed her attention, Sio has a good enough track record and experiences in the private sector, specifically in business arena. She was adjudged a regional and national awardee in entrepreneurship being the owner-manager of Ricardo Rice Mill, chief executive officer of Sioland Development Corp., founder-consultant of United People’s Rural Bank, chief finance officer of South Emerald Distribution, Inc.; consultant and interior designer of Quezon Premier Hotel, and project manager of Millionaire’s Village. She has wide-ranging experience in both retail and wholesale businesses, in agricultural products, motor appliances trading, tourism, banking and finance, among others.
A Private Person
As a private person, Bocal Beth claims to be an introvert, though a workaholic, responsible and a woman wearing many hats. She is the interior designer of Quezon Premier Hotels who personally procures and selects materials to suit the business ambiance of their hotel chain. She is president of the Rotary Club of Candelaria Circle and chairman of Bethsaida Community-based Inclusive Development, Inc.
“I am very active as Rotarian president and believe with our motto ‘service above self and be the inspiration.’ I simply live by these words for His glory,” she said.
Bokal Beth, as she is also simply and fondly called, claimed to be a working mom, a lola to 6 grandchildren, a consultant, confidante and a friend to their many co-workers in the business.
“My day starts with a thanksgiving prayer that preps me up for the day, a word from the bible, then I browse my email, vibes, private messages, and check my phone calls and texts,” she confides about her daily morning routine.
“I pray most of the time for my family, my business, employees and co-workers, for my constituents and friends, my church family because I believe that unless the Lord builds the house, unless the Lord bless us, our labor will be in vain. I’m strict and disciplinarian. I lead by example. I maybe soft-spoken but at times I may be tough as situation demands.”
Public Servant
As an elected politician and public servant, Bokal Beth goes house-to-house, mingles publicly, attends every invitations, asks questions of every sector of her constituents so she gets to know their needs and initiate legislation to alleviate their concerns.
“I try to answer and offer my help from A to Z as I cite in my calendar. Though there’s no budget I make do and do my utmost to meet and satisfy the needs of my constituents,” she simply said of her political and public duty.
As a rising politician, Sio can be seen in photo opportunities with all sectors of her constituency in the 2nd district, pinning sash and ribbons to young student awardees, conducting medical and dental missions, attending inaugurations of various infrastructure projects, being guest of honor and speaker in various public and private events, hobnobbing with local and national politicos across political parties without regards of political affiliations.
Among her latest legislative initiatives at Sang. Panglalawigan were her proposal for the establishment of carabao image in every municipal parks in Quezon and the promotion of mental health program when she authored SP Resolution 669 that enacted the provincial ordinance creating the provincial council on mental health care and psychosocial support.
One of her favorite quotes in the Bible is the one from 1 John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
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