ILOILO City – A story decades in the making is finally ready to be told.
Nobody But Jerry, a 272-page memoir of former mayor Jerry P. Treñas, is set to roll off the press on March 24.
The book offers readers an intimate and candid look at the life, leadership, and legacy of a man many regard as one of the fathers of modern Iloilo. It captures a defining chapter in Iloilo City’s transformation and the personal journey of the leader who helped shape it.
“This book stands as proof that even the most ordinary beginnings can lead to extraordinary journeys, when guided by purpose and a deep love for the city we proudly call home. It is both my honor and my privilege to share this journey with you,” the former mayor said.
The title traces back to a pivotal political moment. In 2010, as supporters gathered outside the Treñas Law Office at the Golden Commercial Building, they wore light blue shirts emblazoned with the playful slogan, “Nobody but you, Jerry,” chanting the line while the 2008 hit song “Nobody” by South Korean group Wonder Girls played in the background. That declaration marked his bold departure from the city’s dominant political bloc and his run for Congress, a turning point that would redefine his political path.
Structured into eight chapters, the memoir is complemented by a distinguished lineup of contributors: a foreword by former Finance Secretary Jesus P. Estanislao, who highlights how Treñas translated the national vision of Dream Philippines 2046 into concrete local action through Dream Iloilo; an introduction by his brother, Jose Mari P. Treñas, offering a deeply personal tribute to Jerry as both devoted family man and principled public servant; and an endword by Dr. Vijay Jagannathan, Secretary-General of CityNet, reflecting on Treñas’ impact on urban governance in the Asia-Pacific region.
The book closes with a heartfelt letter of gratitude.
Across its pages, readers journey through Treñas’ formative years, his appointment as OIC City Councilor in 1986, his election to local office, his first mayoralty in 2001, his tenure as congressman beginning in 2010, and his return as mayor from 2019 to 2025.
Yet beyond the titles and timelines, the memoir reveals the man behind the mandate — the husband, the father, and the family anchor whose private sacrifices paralleled public responsibilities. It is as much a story of home as it is of City Hall.
More than a recounting of victories, the book honors the people who stood beside him — family, mentors, colleagues, supporters, and fellow Ilonggos who helped shape the leader he became.
Nobody But Jerry will be available at Carlos Bakeshop and Café in Jaro, Iloilo City; The Bookmark, Inc. in Makati City; Vibal Books on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City; and Pandayan Bookshop branches nationwide.
The book offers Ilonggos and readers everywhere a meaningful opportunity to revisit a defining chapter in Iloilo’s history, and to reflect on what genuine public service truly demands.
For in the story of this city, during one pivotal era, there was only one name that stood at the forefront — Nobody But Jerry./PN