Alfred Vargas on sacrificing showbiz for public service: 'Pinakamahirap na desisyon'

Alfred Vargas, the newly elected Councilor of the Fifth District of Quezon City, admits that putting his showbiz career on hold in favor of a public post was a tough and very personal decision.

During his last State of the District Address (SODA) as the Representative of the Fifth District, some three days before his three-term tenure officially ended, Alfred said, "Maayos at very promising naman ang ating buhay noon sa pelikula at telebisyon... Ngunit sa pinakamahirap na desisyon ng aking buhay noon, lahat ng ito ay ating tinalikuran dahil mas mahal natin ang ating bansa kaysa sa sarili at personal nating mga pangarap."

Alfred, whose brother Patrick Michael Vargas won the congressional seat of QC's fifth district in the 2022 polls, the same position that the actor held from 2013 to 2022, was referring to the time he ran (and won) for the councilor post in the Quezon City Council in 2010 as a "bagito."

“Malinaw sa akin yan noon pa man. Kaya iniwan natin ang showbiz para sa paglilingkod sa kapwa. At dito nagsimulang mas maging makabuluhan ang aking buhay," said Alfred.

Alfred is proud to have filed a total of 1,256 house bills and resolutions, 87 of which have been enacted into law. He was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction at the adjournment of the 18th Congress.

Some of his principally authored laws were National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Iskolar ng Bayan Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Tulong Trabaho Act, mandatory PhilHealth coverage for persons with disability and senior citizens, Magna Carta for the Poor, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Act, and, recently, the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he took on policy initiatives that would ensure that social protection services from the government would fully benefit the people. This included the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act and COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, both of which he was principal author.

Amid his job as lawmaker, he had time to implement district-level projects, including the Mula Sinapupunan Hanggang Himlayan (From Womb to Tomb) Program, which provides prenatal care, scholarship, livelihood, medical, and burial assistance for constituents. This program has benefited almost 15,000 scholars, 25,000 livelihood assistance beneficiaries, and more than 30,000 individuals in need of medical assistance.

Looking back at what he's accomplished as a public servant, he can now say that sacrificing his showbiz career was a deeply difficult but necessary experience that toughened him up and made him a wiser, more compassionate human being.

With his passion for public service fulfilled, Alfred admitted that he can't completely forget about "acting" just yet.

"I don't think I can turn my back on showbiz for good," he said. "Acting fills my soul. I'll always have that artistic thirst to do films and TV projects."

Alfred was quick to add that he would do such projects only when he feels that he has done enough for his constituency.

"Because my priorities are clear," he said in his interview with GMANetwork.com. "I am a public servant first before anything. It is only when I have finished my work and I have extra time that I am able to reward myself by accepting a film project or any acting offer."

What does Alfred miss most about showbiz? It's working with some of the most creative, hardworking artists in the industry.

"Practicing the craft," said Alfred, whose last TV project was the 2021 drama Legal Wives on GMA. The last movie that he appeared in (and produced) was the 2020 Ricky Lee-penned movie Tagpuan with Iza Calzado. "Plus, the bonding time I have with fellow actors, directors, and the production staff while shooting."

And what does he NOT miss about the Entertainment industry?

Alfred did not need time to think about an answer to this. With a laugh, the 41-year-old father of three replied, "The next day pack-ups! I don't think I can stay up that late anymore. My body is now used to sleeping early and waking up early for work."

What Alfred can't sacrifice or put on hold is his family. While he's ready to go above and beyond the call of duty, family will always come first. He believes that every public official, no matter how devoted he is to his position, has the right to keep a part of himself private--hidden from the public and only accessible to those who matter the most to him.

Yes, it's very important for the family to keep their privacy to a certain extent. Public servants deserve some privacy, but it is also their duty to be available every time the situation calls for it."

In his years of holding public office, Alfred has learned to keep the boundaries between family and career, showbiz and politics, clearly defined. He knows where his duty as an official ends, his role as a family man and artist begins.

The person who made it all possible and kept him sane amid the pressures and demands of the job? His wife Yasmine, with whom he has three kids named Alexandra, Aryana, and Alfredo Cristiano.

"Si Yasmine ang isa sa mga haligi ng aking pagkatao at nagbigay sa akin ng lakas nitong buong 12 years para makapaglingkod nang tapat at masigasig sa inyong lahat."