By Eva C. Visperas

 

I have witnessed two inaugurations in Calasiao that, while separated by time, were united by legacy and love — one by a mother, the other by her son.

I was present in 2022 when the late Mayor Mamilyn “Maya” Caramat took her oath before a sea of hopeful faces, her voice steady, her plans bold, the stage grand. That memory came rushing back to me during a poignant moment at the Calasiao Sports Complex on June 26, 2025, as a video tribute to the late mayor played before her son, Patrick Agustin Caramat, gave his inaugural address.

It was, as they say, a full-circle moment. But this circle wasn’t just about symbolism; it was about a promise rekindled. And I must confess, it struck a chord in my heart in a way I didn’t expect. I was teary-eyed while watching the video tribute — seeing Mayor Maya on screen felt as if it were only yesterday when she stood there, full of life and purpose.

Patrick stood on that stage not just as Calasiao’s newly elected mayor, but as a son honoring the legacy of a mother who served, who dreamed, who left too soon. That he delivered his oath on what would have been Mayor Maya’s 55th birthday added a layer of solemnity and tenderness to the occasion. It felt less like a political transition and more like a vow whispered between generations.

And yet, beyond the emotion was a clear, firm voice — one that bore both youthful resolve and the weight of a promise made to the people and to the past.

In his speech, Mayor Patrick Caramat reminded us all that leadership is not about lineage or the absence of opposition. It is about action. “Leadership is never defined by the absence of competition, nor by age — it is measured by the actions we take,” he said.

These were not the words of a young man handed a seat of power. These were the words of a young man who knew exactly what that seat demanded.

He spoke of addressing traffic, waste management, fiscal responsibility, and lifting up marginalized groups, such as vendors and senior citizens, with a sincerity that felt not rehearsed, but lived.

But what struck me the most was not the structure of his policies — it was the soul of his speech. And just like that, it became clear: He is not living in his mother’s shadow. He is walking beside her light.

Mayor Patrick’s address was not just an oath of office — it was a tribute. It was a quiet but firm promise to continue the work his mother began and to do so with the values instilled by both of his parents.

“I also stand here as the son of a public servant, Retired Police Major General Romeo ‘Bong’ Caramat Jr., a man whose name carries distinction in the service of the Filipino people,” he said. “He served with courage, discipline, and integrity. And I have made it my mission to live up to both their names — not with words, but with work,” he added.

It was that line that stayed with me. In those few sentences, Mayor Patrick reminded us that this was not about youth or surname, it was about character.

As someone who sat through both inaugurals — the hopeful first of a mother, and the heartfelt vow of her son — I can say without hesitation that Calasiao is not just continuing a legacy. It is evolving one. And that is perhaps the most powerful tribute of all.

Much is expected of Mayor Patrick Caramat. And based on what I saw and heard, the town is in capable, compassionate, and committed hands. Still young, yes, but not untested. Not unready.

To lead with dignity, to lead with purpose, and to rise together — he promised. And today, Calasiao chooses to believe again.

Balbaleg ya salamat, Mayor Patrick. The baton has been passed, and your people are watching — with faith, with hope, and with you.

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