Bernie Anabo Jr.
A LAWYER WITH A HEART, AN ADMINISTRATOR WITH ACTION, AND A PUBLIC SERVANT WHO KNOWS THE VALUE OF PEOPLE!
In the rough-and-tumble world of local politics, where big titles often command attention and powerful positions can create distance between officials and ordinary citizens, one man stands out for a different reason: his reputation for being hardworking, approachable, and grounded in public service.
Meet Atty. Fernando “Ding” C. Soriano, the City Administrator of Parañaque City—a lawyer and public official whose role in keeping the city’s administrative machinery running makes him an important figure in local governance.
Known to many as “Boss Ding” or “Admin Ding,” Soriano represents the kind of leadership that should never be measured by a title alone, but by dedication, accessibility, and the ability to work with people.
And in a city as dynamic as Parañaque, that kind of leadership matters!
NOT JUST A TITLE—A JOB THAT DEMANDS ACTION!
Being a City Administrator is no walk in the park. Behind every functioning department, every administrative decision, and every effort to improve public service lies a complicated web of responsibilities that demands discipline, coordination, and decisive management.
The City Administrator plays a vital role in coordinating the operations of various offices, helping ensure that government programs move forward and that the city’s administrative priorities are carried out efficiently.
This is where Soriano’s position becomes significant.
A city government cannot run on speeches alone. It needs people who can turn plans into action, coordinate departments, address operational concerns, and help make public service work on the ground.
That is the demanding responsibility attached to his office—and the standard by which any administrator should be judged.
The challenge is enormous. The expectations are high. And the people of Parañaque deserve nothing less than a city administration that works with urgency, accountability, and genuine concern for the public.
DOWN TO EARTH—AND THAT IS A STRENGTH!
What makes an official stand out is not always the power attached to his position. Sometimes, it is the way he treats people.
Soriano is described as approachable and down to earth—qualities that matter in public service, where citizens, employees, business representatives, and community leaders need officials who are willing to listen and engage.
In government, approachability is not a weakness. It is an asset.
A public official who listens can better understand the problems confronting ordinary citizens. An administrator who maintains open communication can help improve coordination. And a leader who respects people can foster a working environment where cooperation becomes possible.
The real test of leadership is not how an official behaves when surrounded by VIPs, but how he responds when ordinary people need help.
That is the kind of standard that should define Boss Ding’s public-service legacy.
THE CITY HALL WORKHORSE
Parañaque is a major urban center with growing commercial activity, expanding communities, and residents who expect reliable government services.
Managing the administrative side of such a city requires more than professional credentials. It demands patience, organizational discipline, sound judgment, and the ability to work with different departments and stakeholders.
As a lawyer serving as City Administrator, Soriano occupies a position where administrative competence and public accountability must go hand in hand.
His participation in public forums, business gatherings, and city programs also underscores the importance of coordination between local government and the communities it serves.
Whether the concern involves government operations, business engagement, or the implementation of local programs, the objective must remain clear: make government more responsive, more efficient, and more accessible to the people.
That is the mission. That is the responsibility. And that is the measure of meaningful public service.
LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT RESULTS, NOT NOISE!
Let’s make one thing clear: public service is not a popularity contest.
An official may be friendly, respected, and admired, but the ultimate measure of leadership must always be the results delivered to the public.
For Soriano, the challenge—and the opportunity—is to help ensure that Parañaque’s administrative operations translate into tangible benefits: faster and more efficient services, better coordination among offices, responsible use of public resources, and government programs that reach the people who need them most.
These are the benchmarks that matter.
The public deserves transparency. City employees deserve competent administration. Businesses deserve a government that is responsive and predictable. And residents deserve services that are delivered without unnecessary delays and bureaucratic obstacles.
Good leadership must be felt—not merely heard. It must be experienced in the services people receive, the problems government resolves, and the trust it earns.
BOSS DING: A NAME THAT MUST STAND FOR SERVICE!
At the end of the day, the real legacy of a city administrator is not the office he occupies or the title printed on his calling card.
It is the difference his work helps make in the lives of the people.
Atty. Fernando “Ding” C. Soriano has an opportunity to continue strengthening the administrative backbone of Parañaque City through professionalism, accessibility, and a firm commitment to public accountability.
His reputation for being down to earth is a valuable starting point. The next step is to ensure that this personal quality is consistently matched by measurable accomplishments and efficient government operations.
Because in public service, the strongest leaders are not necessarily those who make the loudest noise. They are the ones who help make the system work.
And for Parañaque, the message is simple: a hardworking administrator, a people-oriented approach, and an unwavering commitment to effective governance can help move an entire city forward.
So here’s to Boss Ding Soriano—the lawyer, the administrator, and the public servant whose greatest challenge is also his greatest opportunity: to turn the responsibilities of his office into results that every Parañaqueño can see, feel, and appreciate.
IN PARAÑAQUE CITY HALL, TITLES MAY COMMAND RESPECT—but SERVICE, PERFORMANCE, AND INTEGRITY are what truly earn it!
