HURDLING CHALLENGES IS HIS WAY OF LIFE

Leadership takes multifarious forms and is approached in varied dimensions depending upon the orientation and perceptual field of the leader. There are those who are autocratic and dictatorial and don't succumb to the idiosyncrasies of others. There are those who adhere to the democratic tenets and let the will of the majority prevail. The paternalistic acts like a father patting the shoulder of a child while catering to his whims. The believer of the laissez faire style let governance be unfettered and uncontrolled. All these have their own advantages and disadvantages; and they are effective depending upon some parameters. Some leaders cannot be confined to one particular style. But everything else considered, the most effective is the leader who makes things happen, not just sit in a corner and wait for things to shape up. One such leader is Mayor Vito Beltran Rapal of Corella. He loves challenges.

Right from his birth in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental on February 12, 1960 , Vito's life has always been a big challenge. His parents, Andres Rapal and Esperanza Beltran, were poor. Even in childhood he was aware of their poverty, compared to the others around, most specifically those born with the proverbial silver spoon on their mouth and golden platters on their table. He was a mute witness to how his parents labored to make both ends meet. At an early age, he was already convinced that he has to work doubly harder than the rest, if her were to realize his dreams. This boyhood awakening was an indoctrinization to life's realities that was to serve as a driving force for his personal quest and upliftment. It was also his link to the masses as he was one of them. This upbringing became a solid foundation when, later in life, he realized he is happiest fighting for a cause, taking challenges, while serving others.

Vito first studied at the Libertad Alto Elementary School in Sinacaban. For his secondary education, he started to fend for his upkeep. Knowing that his parents were incapable of giving him the necessary support for his educational pursuit, he decided to venture on his own. He became a working student, doing some chores at the St. Joseph Parish Church while taking high school subjects. This sacrifice paid off. He graduated a responsible man in 1977. Equipped with a sense of adventurism and determination he packed his bags and went to Cebu City . At nineteen years of age he was employed at the Birdsman Enterprises, an exporter of Bohol products. Vito decided to pack his bags once more and went to Musuan, Bukidnon and enrolled at the Central Mindanao University , still working his way through college. He finished Bachelor of Science in Education in 1983.

The fresh graduate first worked as a classroom teacher in the Lorenzo Tan Barangay High School in Tangub City . He immensely enjoyed his new responsibility and would have stayed there considering the opportunities for promotion. But this time, something irresistible beckoned. In his brief working stint in Cebu , he met and fell in love with a lovely department manager of Birdsman Enterprises, Flora Yap Caliao, who is a Boholana from Corella. The years and the distance parting them did not severe the ties, instead their affection for each other blossomed. They decided to tie the knot in 1985.

This decision was the turning point of his life. They decided to settle down in Corella, and ventured into entrepreneurship, as suppliers of native products. While the business prospered he went back to teaching. He was first assigned in a far-flung Canhayupan Barangay High School in Dimiao. It was another challenge as he had to be away from home most of the week. In 1986 he was appointed Barangay Captain of Canangcaan, this was right after the EDSA People Power revolt. It was a new challenge for him, which he handled the best way he can. This was his introduction to politics.

It was in 1987 when he was transferred to Corella High School ; it was a welcome change as he always wanted to be with his family. Until he saw the immediate needs of the school, which lacked rooms and other facilities. From his fellow teachers came the requests and pleas which fell on deaf ears. This was the situation he himself was a witness for five long years. Complacency would have been a recourse, because there was nothing one can do about it. But not for Mr. Vito Rapal. He had to do something to assuage the situation. He did an unexpected move those with lesser resolve would not have done. He resigned from his teaching position and ran as Vice Mayor of Corella. Being a neophyte and lacking financial backing, he did not make it. In 1994 he was elected Punong Barangay of Canangcaan, and later ABS President, paving his membership to the Sangguniang Bayan.

Corella High School was founded by Atty. Epifanio Bolando when he was the Mayor of the town. This saved hundreds of students from travelling to Tagbilaran City and other neighboring municipalities with secondary schools. As a teacher Vito Rapal felt the need to develop the school for the sake of the students and their future. In an audience with the then administration he was taken aback when upon insisting on the school's pleas he was bluntly told, “...nganong ikaw man ang magbuot?...” And he was challenged to run as Mayor. It was a challenge he took hook-line-and-sinker.

Beforehand he had to weigh and place everything in its proper perspective. His wife is a relative the then dispensation. He knew the hazards, including the expenses, and ruffled feelings. On the other hand were the many who inspired him to go on with his pursuits for the good of Corella. He was an outsider who was trying to knock his head on a thick concrete wall of administrative influence. But his cause was noble. The people of his hometown can always make their own decision. They decided on his favor, not by a landslide margin, but he won.

Mr. and Mrs. Vito Rapal have two children. The oldest is Homer, 20 years old and a BSMT student of PMI-Bohol. He passed the recent PNP examinations and may decide to be a policeman. Hubert is 13 and is enrolled at Holy Name University High School Department. Like any doting father he wishes his children to succeed in their studies first. He cannot forget that his pursuit for education was a big sacrifice, and he knows the importance of education in opening up the minds, especially the young, to noble service.

Corella High School is now computerized and has more classrooms and other facilities. He has built the Municipal Public Market. His Barangay Road Network is on-going. Negotiation have already been finalized with BWUI for Corella to collect P25 per cubic meter for the water it has sourced for Tagbilaran City . This is retroactive January 13, 2003 , at P200, 000 a month. A good source of income for a town that is developing.

When he first sat down as Mayor he did not feel much comfort, for he was treading on an alien territory, with majority of the Sangguiniang Bayan members and even the Mayor's Staff being adherents of the previous administration. But he took things in stride and still is beset with the same problems at the Sangguniang Bayan. What is important is he is trying to do his job the best way he could. A municipal employee told this writer: “Sa una magpanagana mi kay bag-o pa man siya. Karon among nakita unsa siya ka matinud-anon sa iyang trabaho. Busa miduyog na ‘mi niya.”

Mayor Rapal has big plans for Corella. He finished the renovation of the Municipal Building . On-going is the construction of the Public Market, that was burned months ago, whose funding he has to ask from higher officials of the Province. Another project is the concreting and widening of Municipal and Barangay roads. One big project he dreams of is the acquisition of heavy equipment for the maintenance of roads. As a teacher he won't stop finding means to improve the schools of the town.

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