Brigada Group of Companies chairman and chief executive officer Elmer V. Catulpos on Tuesday thanked voters across Leyte and the wider Visayas after 1Tahanan Partylist clinched a coveted seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2025 polls.
The result crowns a decade-long community effort that delivered food drives, medical missions, and disaster relief through Brigadahan 1Tahanan and more than 50 Brigada News FM stations, all without public funding. Catulpos said the mandate proves that service can precede position and power.
He congratulated Atty. Nat Oducado, 1Tahanan’s first nominee, and pledged to guide him in Congress. Catulpos added that the milestone belongs to every Filipino who chose compassion at the ballot box. Supporters credited consistent grassroots outreach for the victory.
For Catulpos, the work only begins now. He emphasized that the single seat must amplify issues affecting marginalized families—affordable health care, safe housing, and wider livelihood programs—while forging bipartisan ties inside the chamber. Oducado echoed the sentiment, saying the party will file measures that shield low-income households from rising costs and climate threats.
Multiple civil-society leaders welcomed the win. They noted that 1Tahanan’s track record meets Congress’ need for representatives with hands-on field experience, not just legislative skills. Political analysts also pointed out that volunteer-driven campaigns can still triumph against well-funded rivals when credibility is clear.
Delightful Philippines Advocacy Gets Boost
Catulpos used the celebration to rally fresh support for Delightful Philippines, Brigada’s nationwide tourism movement designed to create sustainable jobs and revitalize local economies hit by the pandemic. He explained that rebuilding the visitor pipeline will circulate income to transport workers, market vendors, and small hotels far from traditional resort hubs.
The advocacy urges travelers to pause, breathe, and reconnect—with nature, loved ones, and themselves—while choosing destinations that respect culture and the environment. Catulpos said the program will roll out real-time travel news, smart guides, and safety tools, ensuring guests explore confidently and communities benefit directly.
Tourism advocates welcomed the partnership, noting that the region’s beaches, caves, and heritage sites remain under-promoted despite improved roads and digital connectivity. They believe 1Tahanan’s media reach can spotlight hidden gems and, therefore, spread visitor traffic beyond crowded circuits.
Catulpos closed his remarks with a commitment: 1Tahanan will champion measures that streamline tourism permits, protect natural assets, and fund skills training for guides and craftsmen. He invited allies—public officials, business groups, and faith organizations—to join what he called a united front for family-centered development.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.