Gigi Vargas

02/06/2026

𝗠𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗕𝗔 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗟𝗔𝗟𝗢 𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗔-𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗥.

Minsan kasi, hindi naiintindihan ng iba kung gaano kabigat ang magpunta sa Kongreso para lang magsalita.

Ang mga taong nasa litrato na ito ay hindi mga artista, influencer, o makapangyarihang tao. Mga ordinaryong residente sila ng Siruma. Mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. Mga opisyal ng barangay. Mga taong matagal nang nananahimik habang may mga bagay na nangyayari sa kanilang komunidad na pakiramdam nila ay hindi napapansin.

At kahapon, bumiyahe sila nang mahigit 14 oras mula sa isang malayong coastal community sa Siruma para makarating sa House of Representatives. Hindi para manggulo. Hindi para magpasikat. Kundi para lang marinig.

Kasama nila sa mga pagpupulong sina Punong Barangay Bavel Arevalo ng Brgy. San Ramon, ilang barangay officials, mga residente, at mga ARBs na direktang naaapektuhan ng isyu ng landgrabbing na matagal na nilang ipinaglalaban.

Sa unang meeting, humarap sila kina Cong. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Chairperson ng Committee on Agrarian Reform, at Committee Secretary Rita Flores-Macabulos upang talakayin ang kalagayan ng mga residente at ang nalalapit na Congressional Investigation in aid of legislation.

Sa ikalawang meeting naman, nakausap nila sina Cong. Leila De Lima, Cong. Chel Diokno, at Cong. Renee Co. Hindi lang sila nakinig — ipinahayag din nila ang kanilang suporta at partisipasyon sa nalalapit na imbestigasyon.

Sa totoo lang, maraming taga-Camarines Sur ang sanay nang matalo bago pa man magsimula. Sanay nang isipin na kapag ordinaryong tao ka, wala ka talagang laban. Kapag nasa malayong bayan ka, mas madaling hindi mapansin. Mas madaling mapagod. Mas madaling sumuko.

Kaya mahalaga itong nangyari.

Hindi dahil siguradong panalo na sila. Hindi dahil solved na agad ang problema. Kundi dahil sa wakas, may mga taong tumayo at nagsabing: “Hindi kami papayag na manahimik na lang.”

𝘈𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵, 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘶𝘱𝘢, 𝘴𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘥, 𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘒𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢, 𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢. 𝘒𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘒𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰. 𝘒𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘢. 𝑨𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒘, 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒔, 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒔𝒚𝒐𝒏.

Gusto ko ring pasalamatan ang mga tinatawag ko ngayong community defenders ng Siruma: si Punong Barangay Bavel Arevalo ng San Ramon, Mayor Karen Polinga, ang buong LGU Siruma, Atty. Diane Trivino, at Randall Dagooc. Lahat sila pinipiling tumindig araw-araw kasama ng mga residente sa gitna ng hirap, pagod, at matagal na laban na ito.

At sana maintindihan natin kung gaano kalaking bagay iyon.

Sa panahon ngayon na maraming Pilipino ang nawawalan na ng tiwala sa sistema, may mga taga-Siruma na pinili pa ring lumaban sa tamang paraan. Nagpunta sila sa Kongreso. Humarap sila. Nagkwento sila. Umasa sila na baka sakaling may makinig.

At para sa akin, mahalaga iyon hindi lang para sa Siruma kundi para sa buong Camarines Sur. Dahil matagal nang maraming taga-Camarines Sur ang pakiramdam ay wala silang boses.

𝘒𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘯, 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘰, 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘢.

22/05/2026

Dios Mabalos, Congressman Nelson Legacion , Cong. Arnie Buquid Fuentebella, and Rep. Leila Norma De Lima!

19/05/2026

18/05/2026

Modern Clara by Society Enterprises is at the Congress! 🤍

Sa mga kapwa ko Bicolano who works at the HOR, please visit and support Modern Clara. They will be there po starting today until May 20 (Wednesday).

Dios Mabalos po, Congressman Nelson Legacion and DTI for the genuine support to local brands and for the opportunity to showcase our very own products outside the Region.

Sana all supportive! 👏

10/05/2026

Honored to be back at UNEP for another speaking engagement. 🤍

These young student leaders are now equipped with Basic Parliamentary Rules and Procedure skills. A skill they will surely need as they take on their current and future roles as leaders in various fields.

Padayon, UNEPians! 💚 👏

05/05/2026

What an honor to help see B**g Rodriguez' vision come to life during the 1st Isarog International Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival! 🎈☁️

The skies of Naga and Camarines Sur will never be the same again, thanks to all of you who believed, went, and made it happen.

03/05/2026

What began as a vision has now become a moment etched in Naga City’s history.

Over the past three days, the skies of Naga came alive with vibrant hot air balloons from 8 countries, transforming the city into a breathtaking canvas of color, culture, and celebration. What we witnessed was more than just a festival, it was a wonderful blend of people, stories, and shared experiences that brought together Nagueños and visitors in ways we’ve never seen before.

From early mornings filled with anticipation, to afternoons of laughter, food, and family bonding, and nights energized by music and performances, every moment reflected the heart of this event. The overwhelming turnout and support proved one thing: Naga is more than ready for experiences that are bigger, bolder, and unforgettable.

Beyond the spectacle, this festival created a meaningful impact. It became a platform for local artists, a boost for businesses, and a source of livelihood for countless workers, vendors, and communities. Every smile, every cheer, and every shared memory contributed to something greater—a celebration of Naga pride.

This first Isarog International Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival was not just about what filled the skies, but about what it sparked on the ground: unity, creativity, human connection.

Truly, the skies of Naga and Camarines Sur will never be the same again.

Sagkod giraray. Dios mabalos!

29/04/2026

Resource Speaker today. 👩‍🏫

Honored to share my knowledge on Environmental Governance and Policy Development Process. I told the participants that People’s Participation is key for a good policy.

Will be coming back tomorrow to critique their output for a barangay ordinance on the CBSUA-Martillana Estero Maintenance.

Grateful for CBSUA for the invitation. 🙇‍♀️🤍

18/04/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬! ✍🏼✊🏼

Student journalists often come into conflict with institutions that use their authority to suppress free expression and censor publications. Threats, harassment and intimidation have become more pervasive, underscoring the need for stronger legal protections for campus journalists.

Through our proposed House Bill No. 8718 or the “Campus Press Freedom Act,” we seek to repeal Republic Act No. 7079 (Campus Journalism Act of 1991) and address the realities faced by student journalists today. We aim to establish clear safeguards against censorship, guarantee the editorial independence of student publications, and provide the campus press with a reliable source of funding.

Sa disiplina, husay, tapang, at proteksyon sa pag-uulat ng ating mga student journalists, mas mailalantad ang mga baluktot na polisiya, pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, malalabanan ang fake news at disinformation, at mas maihahayag ang katotohanan hindi lang sa mga kapwa nila mag-aaral kundi pati na sa marami pa nating kababayan.

Defend Press Freedom! Pass HB 8718!