00:00Not too long ago, I had the privilege of taking our Up Close segment international and in the process, speaking with a very interesting individual about their life and their journey. Here's part one of that story.
00:26Up Close goes to New York City.
00:30For Up Close's very first U.S. Edition episode, we take you from the Big Apple across the Hudson to the Garden State, New Jersey. An original farming village incorporated in 1894 nestled within Bergen County is Bergenfield. With a population of 28,000 strong, this borough is New Jersey's 38th state legislative district and boasts of mom and pop charm as well as an eclectic dining scene in a diverse and close-knit community.
00:58Among its more notable features is its top brass.
01:02And here tonight, we have with us Bergenfield's very own Mayor Arvin Amatorio.
01:11Mayor, thank you so much for gracing us with your presence and taking the time to tell us your story today.
01:16Thank you, Sharms. And it's been a pleasure and honor to be in your show. And good evening to all the Kababayans.
01:24Okay. So many people around the world, especially those that are based in the country, in the Philippines, back home, are going to be very interested to hear your story.
01:34You have been called the Filipino-American mayor in New Jersey.
01:40And in fact, just the second New Jersey mayor, in fact, in the last 20 years with Filipino ancestry.
01:46Now, that for me is an amazing achievement.
01:49But first of all, we know that all great things start with an amazing story.
01:54Can you tell us how it all started?
01:56We're all curious. What was your coming to America story and what were some of its major highlights?
02:01So, I would say, you know, I came here on a different reason, right?
02:06And I would say I always tell when people ask me, it's unique because when I came here, I was visiting my girlfriend, now my wife.
02:16And I have never intention of staying here more than I was supposed to stay.
02:21But then a night before going back to the Philippines, I spoke with my then-girlfriend and we talked about our future.
02:28And I never took the flight home the next day.
02:33Wow. What an interesting story.
02:35So, I stayed here and left my life in the Philippines and we built a family here and the rest is history.
02:44So, you know, I went to, I pursued my legal career, became an attorney.
02:49I taught in a college in New York and became an immigration attorney and entered politics.
02:56Now, I'm here in Burgenfield.
02:58And what a leap of faith.
03:00You are now the second term mayor of Burgenfield, New Jersey.
03:05I'm sure that there was a catalyst, you know, that inspiration for you to realize that I want to do more than being an immigration lawyer.
03:14I'd like to be more than a family man and a husband.
03:17What do you think was the inspiration that made you realize you'd like to do more for your community?
03:24Right. So, when I made that decision to stay here, I have to adapt to the new culture.
03:32I have to adapt to the new community.
03:35So, the first things that I've done is, you know, making myself, you know, ready for the new environment.
03:42So, like what I've said, I review for the bar exam and make myself first qualified for whatever aspirations that I have.
03:52And then I get involved in the community.
03:55I made sure that I know the ins and outs of, you know, politics or private organizations.
04:01So, I decided to join the, you know, the public service.
04:06Yes. As a councilman, I run for council. I became Kutar councilman.
04:10I became council president.
04:12And when there was an opportunity, I stepped forward and run for mayor.
04:16Your first victory was back in 2020?
04:21As mayor, yes.
04:22As mayor. Okay.
04:23But you started your run in politics as council member back in what year?
04:28Around 2014.
04:302014.
04:31So, it's been roughly 10 years of public service and more.
04:35That's correct, yes.
04:36Okay. I'm sure that, obviously, this whole journey is not without its challenges and struggles and pitfalls.
04:43What would you say are some of the most significant or crucial struggles that you've had to overcome
04:48and are still also still trying to get by as of now?
04:52So, here in the United States, you know, being a mayor is truly a public service.
04:58And I need to maintain my profession as an attorney because, you know, the pay is not really, you know, it wouldn't survive.
05:09You know, if you have a family floor like me, I cannot survive with the salary that the mayor has.
05:16It's more of an honorarium or allowance.
05:20So, I practice my profession as an attorney.
05:23But at the same time, I'm raising a family.
05:27I'm raising a kid.
05:28So, one of the most difficult role, you know, as a mayor is really balancing the life of an attorney, of a father,
05:37and at the same time, you know, the public service that I have to attend.
05:41So, you know, Bergenfield is a very diverse community.
05:43So, I have to listen to all the voices and make sure that everybody is represented while maintaining public service
05:52or while maintaining public safety and make sure that, you know, that we have a flourishing and thriving town.
06:00Right.
06:00So, it's not just you being a father to your own family, to your own children, but a father to the entire community.
06:06And that's something you need to balance.
06:08They say that we are a product, not only of our origins, but also the efforts that we put into our present to shape our future.
06:17I'm very curious.
06:19You know, I am, when I heard your story, I can't help but marvel and say, wow, you are a first-generation Filipino-American from Bel Air, if I'm not mistaken.
06:28Aurora, yes.
06:28Aurora, yes.
06:29And now a second-term mayor in New Jersey in the United States.
06:33But being a Filipino-American and being allowed to serve your constituents, how has this allowed you to serve them more uniquely?
06:43It's a very interesting question, Sharms.
06:46But I think being a Filipino-American, I think, influenced my role as a mayor.
06:53You know, the demographics of the United States is, you know, it is becoming more diverse.
07:00So I brought with me the values of the Filipinas that's, you know, the family and community is central to our living, our everyday living.
07:12So I think, you know, I can feel the, you know, the struggles of the immigrants.
07:18And I know how to start, you know, in a new community.
07:23So I think I can, you know, those emotions, those experiences of my residents resonates with me.
07:34So when people come to me and they speak the same language, the different language, they have an accent, I know they're coming from.
07:42So if they have a problem, if they have an issue, I make sure that there is a government that listens to them, that's willing to help, that's willing to uplift their spirit and make sure that, you know, they have a community, that they have a country that welcomes them.
07:59And make sure that their family is welcome and survive in this tough environment.
08:07Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode as Mayor Arvin tells us more about his journey, Bergen County's Little Manila, and the formula to his success.
08:15You know, the Filipinos are present in every part of the world and we can always rise above everyone.
08:22You know, that's the spirit of resiliency and of the Filipino people.
08:29Well, you heard it, all that and so much more coming up tomorrow in part two.
