MATTHEW LOUIS “Matt” Malacon is a quiet young man — often dismissed as a “nobody.”
But wait — this “nobody” has just made history in Negros Occidental.
At only 23 years old, Matt is now the youngest elected mayor in the province since its founding on March 10, 1917. He is the Mayor-elect of the first-class Municipality of E.B. Magalona.
He will succeed his father, outgoing mayor and now Vice Mayor-elect Marvin Malacon.
Yet many still ask: Is he ready?
NO NONSENSE
I sat down with Matt on Tuesday, May 20, for a brief but candid conversation.
And let me tell you — Matt is no lightweight.
He already has clear plans, programs, and projects lined up. He’s more than ready to step into public service.
Yes, he’s the silent type. But once he speaks, he speaks with depth, clarity, and surprising conviction.
One of his promises? To sustain the momentum of progress that his father, Tatay Marvin, began — progress that helped elevate E.B. Magalona to first-class municipality status just last November.
A worthy mission, indeed.
THE MUSIC ARCHITECT
What intrigued me most about Matt is that he’s also a guitarist — a musician at heart. This, perhaps, explains his calm, reserved demeanor.
In his quiet moments, Matt thinks about music — about melodies, and the play between low and high notes. No ordinary pastime. It requires focus, creativity, and patience — skills nurtured in stillness, long before any sound is made.
To be what I’d call a “music architect” isn’t easy. It demands precision, sensitivity, and discipline — qualities that have clearly shaped Matt’s character and made him a passionate artist in his own right.
LOW AND HIGH NOTES
As he prepares to enter the world of politics and public service on June 30, Matt radiates a calm assurance. Just like a musician hitting both low and high notes, he’s ready to respond to the needs of constituents from all walks of life.
“It’s all about focus and understanding,” he told me. “There are moments when you just need to pause, reflect, and interpret.”
He understands the importance of balance — and he admits he’s still learning. “I’m not perfect,” he says, “but I’m willing to learn.”
That kind of humility? Rare. And refreshing.
CLOUDS OF INTRICACY
Talking to Matt — a musician stepping into politics — made me reflect on the parallels between the two fields. Music, after all, has its own layers of intricacy: melody, pitch, rhythm, scale, contour. Crafting music is an art form that requires both logic and emotion.
Politics? It’s equally complex, if not more so. It involves systems, power plays, decision-making, and navigating the often invisible currents of influence and expectation. But Matt seems ready for all of it.
His secret weapon?
His musical training — the sharpness of heart and mind honed in the silence of composition — ready to create something meaningful for his people.
AT HIS OWN PACE
For Matt, music and politics are deeply connected. Both, he says, are about creating something that resonates with people. That’s the interplay.
And with this mindset, Matt is confident he can lead his kasimanwas and carve out his own path — at his own pace, guided by the “melody” of true servant leadership.
His message?
“Just observe my process. Witness me work.”
And maybe we’ll all hear something beautiful in the making./PN
