A long-serving barangay captain of Ususan, Taguig took her oath as the new president of the League of Barangay (ABC) in the city.
Marilyn Marcelino took her oath before Mayor Lani Cayetano, which was also witnessed by newly-elected barangay captains Michael Arcilla of Pembo, Allan Cruz of Rizal, Lysandre Vertulfo of Fort Bonifacio, and Ricardo Jordan of North Signal.
Also present during the event were Vice Mayor Arvin Alit, congressional representatives Ricardo Cruz Jr. and Jorge Daniel Bocobo, Interior director Director Gemma Demdam Dancil, and Barangay Affairs Office head Evelyn Tan Arago.
Cayetano expressed confidence in the city’s new grassroots leaders.
“I look forward to your strength and loyalty during your term serving your barangays and Taguig City. Alongside Vice Mayor Arvin Alit, Cong. Ading Cruz, Cong. Jorge Bocobo, and the entire city council, we support your advocacy and initiatives to deliver transformative, lively, and caring programs for each Taguigeño,” she said.
Marcelino, for her part, reflected on the responsibility of her new role.
“We all felt mixed emotions while being sworn in, but gratitude to the Lord God for the blessing to serve and share our skills and abilities with the citizens of Taguig towards the Transformative Lively and Caring City —gawa, hindi salita,” she said.
Marcelino previously served as the League’s vice president and treasurer. She is currently on her third term as barangay captain of Ususan, having won two straight elections unopposed.
Known to residents as the “Wonder Kap,” she was named Most Outstanding Public Servant by the Dangal ng Lahing Filipino Awards for her leadership and contributions to the community.
First elected in 2013, Marcelino has earned widespread recognition for programs like Ususan’s pioneering barangay-run food bank and secondary blood chemistry laboratory, both hailed as firsts in the Philippines. She also spearheaded public safety initiatives, including a modern ambulance service with certified EMTs and a professional fire brigade.
With her assumption as ABC president, Marcelino vowed to bring her proven grassroots-oriented approach to the city council, working closely with barangay leaders and city officials to strengthen services and advance Taguig’s development goals.
