AUDACIOUS leadership: What is this?
Many references — including the now-ubiquitous Artificial Intelligence (AI) — use similar words to define audacious leadership: boldness, innovation, inventiveness, and a willingness to break away from conventional thinking.
Talking about audacious leadership, however, is no easy task. It requires adaptability, flexibility, and above all, candidness.
To me, candor is what best describes the leadership style of outgoing EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon.
As he ended his nine-year term, Malacon held a thanksgiving night on April 30, offering heartfelt tributes to those who helped him—one way or another—on his unrehearsed journey in politics and public service
‘Laking Tindahan’
Mayor Malacon is unashamedly candid about his humble beginnings before venturing into the often messy world of politics.
He is a proud “laking tindahan” — a market boy.
He grew up in the market, helping run their family-owned Josephine Store. There, he came to understand the daily struggles of ordinary folks: manug-isda, manug-baboy, manug-bugas, manug-bulante, manug-carinderia, manug-tinapay, manug-mani, among others.
His life in the marketplace taught him lessons no classroom could ever offer — lessons absent from theories in books or academic theses.
‘Best Teachers’
His best teachers? First-hand experiences, personal observations, and direct involvement.
These experiences shaped him into a grounded individual and a formidable public servant — someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
With these “assets,” Mayor Malacon claimed what he called a “sweet victory” in politics and public service after nine challenging years.
“I never thought I would be like this,” he openly told the crowd — witnesses to his leadership that helped transform EB Magalona into a first-class municipality in Negros Occidental, as officially recognized in November last year.
That accomplishment made his fate remarkable and his faith unshakable — believing that in politics, candor is essential for genuine progress.
Frank, Sometimes Hurting
Mayor Malacon admits he is not a perfect leader.
He publicly confessed that he could be frank — to the point of being hurtful at times.
Why?
Because politics often demands daily interaction with people from all walks of life, which can drain anyone’s energy.
To push through such difficult phases in public service, he said he sometimes had to raise his voice or use words that stung.
But it was never personal.
He clarified that his candidness was never meant to offend but to wake his constituents up to the harsh realities of leadership and the long, winding road to development.
For him, discipline is non-negotiable.
Still, he acknowledged that he needed everyone’s support to bring EB Magalona to new heights.
Thankfully, he received it — and delivered results that far exceeded expectations. Truly, superb.
Unwavering Determination
Listening to his impromptu speech, I was reminded of Winston Churchill — the British prime minister during World War II.
Reflecting on Mayor Malacon’s simple yet honest account of his nine years in office, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to Churchill’s brand of leadership: unwavering determination and refusal to surrender despite immense challenges.
From market boy to mayor — his story is anything but ordinary.
Like Churchill, Mayor Malacon inspired many Saraviahanons (locals of EB Magalona) by living the example of servant leadership.
Overcoming countless obstacles, he became a living embodiment of audacious leadership.
Pragmatic Approach
More than anything, Mayor Malacon proved that a pragmatic approach can triumph over rigid adherence to outdated theories.
He weighed situations based on practicality, necessity, and the people who would benefit — resulting in workable, effective solutions.
That, precisely, is why he succeeded.
Bold Decisions
In the end, it was Mayor Malacon’s willingness to make bold decisions — often against the tide — that made him a formidable local leader.
His courage and commitment to progress pushed him from prominence to preeminence.
In Negros Occidental, his name “rings a bell” today.
Why? Because he took risks, overcame both minor and major obstacles, and never backed down from making hard choices.
And all these made him what he is now: a public servant honed by experience and sweetened by remarkable accomplishments — highly esteemed by many today. /PN
