We, the current and former members of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), express our unequivocal support to Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana (AB Philosophy 1991), candidate for Representative of the 1stcongressional district of Davao City.

Our university teaches us to be leaders sui generis, espousing inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, environmental protection, good governance, respect for human rights and educational reform. Mags Maglana is an exemplar of that brand of leadership. 
 
In college, she was elected twice as president of the Samahan Central Board, the university student council. Despite her many activities as a student leader and activist,  she continued to excel in class and was a Dean’s Lister (1985 - 1987), Best Debater in Speechfest (1986), Outstanding Student of the Philosophy Division (1987, 1988) and Most Outstanding Student of the College of Arts and Sciences (1988). 
 
She was founding chair of the Davao Alliance of Student Councils, national chair of the 4thBuklod Atenista and Vice Chair for Mindanao of the National Union of Students of the Philippines.
 
Mags Maglana has at least 30 years of experience in accompanying local governments and communities through capacity building, technical assistance, and direct support. 
 
A most sought-after facilitator, she has been involved in policy development and advocacy work to pass responsive legislation at the local, regional, and national levels. 
 
Working with multistakeholders such as national and local governments, civil society, communities, the private sector, the security sector, and international partners to find common ground and work together for sustainable development and durable peace is one of her forte.
 
Mags Maglana offers us Dabaweyos, a better choice: a brand new politics characterized by people’s genuine participation embodied in her 5Gs: Governance that is democratic, Good quality of life, Green solutions to climate crisis, Genuine recovery from the pandemic and Grassroots-approach to human rights and peace .
 
From 1987 to 2022, the first congressional district has been represented mostly by ADDU alumni: Jesus Dureza, BA 1967, LlB 1973 and Prospero Nograles, Elem 19?? and HS 19??  (1987 to 1998);  Nograles again (2001 to 2010) and his son Karlo, Elem 1989 (2010 to 2019 but he resigned in 2018 when he was appointed Cabinet Secretary).  Rodrigo Duterte represented the first congressional district from 1998 to 2001, while his eldest son Paolo was elected in 2019 and is seeking reelection. 
 
No woman has been elected representative of the first district since 1987. 
 
Let us make Mags Maglana the first. 
 
“To be able to explore other and better futures, we need a shared vision and a commitment to make way for what is possible, rather than just stick with what we have gotten used to,” Maglana said on October 8, 2021, after filing her certificate of candidacy. 
 
Together, let us explore other and better futures.
 
Let us make Mags Maglana win!