Ismael Austria Mathay Jr. (June 26, 1932 – December 25, 2013), also known as Mel Mathay, was the

Mayor of Quezon City The mayor of Quezon City ( fil, Punong Lungsod ng Quezon) is the head of the executive branch of Quezon City's government. The mayor holds office at the Quezon City Hall. Like all local government heads in the Philippines, the mayor is elected v ...

from 1992 to 2001.

Early life and education

Ismael Austria Mathay, Jr. was born in Manila on June 26, 1932. He was the son of Ismael Mathay Sr., an Osmeña Cabinet member. Mathay graduated in 1953 with bachelor's degree in Business Administration Major in Economics in the University of the Philippines, where he joined the prestigious

Upsilon Sigma Phi The Upsilon Sigma Phi () is the oldest Greek-letter organization and fraternity in Asia. Founded in 1918, it is also the oldest student organization in continuous existence in the University of the Philippines. It has two chapters — a single ch ...

. Soon after graduation he enrolled at the College of Law in San Beda and successfully passed the bar examination in 1957.

Political career

Mathay was elected Vice Mayor of Quezon City in 1967, serving from 1968 to 1971. In 1972, he was appointed secretary to the commissioner of the watchdog General Authority Office, a genuine recognition for his talent and integrity. Mathay had completed tenure of 9 years. Prior to his becoming city mayor, he served as the vice-governor of the Metro Manila Commission from 1979 to 1986, an assemblyman representing Quezon City in the

Regular Batasang Pambansa The Regular Batasang Pambansa (English: Regular National Assembly), or the First Batasang Pambansa, was the meeting of the Batasang Pambansa from the beginning of its session on July 23, 1984 until it was abolished by President Corazon Aquino on ...

from 1984 to 1986, congressman representing Quezon City's 4th district from 1987 to 1992. He was director of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from 1979 to 1987, and chairman of the Metro Manila Authority from 1993 to 1994. He tried to reclaim the mayoral position in 2004 and 2010 but lost to

Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Fernando Feliciano "Sonny" Racimo Belmonte Jr., Knights of Rizal, KGCR (born October 2, 1936) is a Filipino people, Filipino politician who served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the Fourth District of Quezon City from ...

and

Herbert Bautista Herbert Constantine "Bistek" Maclang Bautista (born May 12, 1968) is a Filipino actor and politician who served as mayor of Quezon City, the Philippines' largest city by population, from 2010 to 2019. Bautista has starred in numerous films and T ...

, respectively.

Personal life

Mathay married his long-time partner Vilma Valera early in 2013 after the death of his wife Sonya Gandionco.

Death

Mathay died of a heart attack at the age of 81 on December 25, 2013, at

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References

1932 births 2013 deaths Chairpersons of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino politicians Mayors of Quezon City Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Quezon City People from Quezon City Kilusang Bagong Lipunan politicians Independent politicians in the Philippines Nacionalista Party politicians Ramos administration personnel San Beda University alumni Members of the Batasang Pambansa {{Philippines-politician-stub