NEW KID IN TOWN

April 12, 2025 Headlines

“New Kid in Town” sun by the Eagles was Grammy Awardee for Best Arrangement for Voices in 1977. The song takes on two meanings. The literal interpretation involves the experience of a band becoming famous and being treated differently in society, because they are now seen as celebrities. As time passes by, another up-and-coming band becomes more popular than them, causing them to fade away into history.

It can also be applied to a break-up in a relationship, where a person leaves because they found someone better but this time as election approaches, it would be someone new in the mayoralty race for the City of Baguio. “There’s talk on the street, it sounds so familiar/Great expectations, everybody’s watching you/ People you meet, they all seem to know you/Even your old friends treat you like you’re something new/ Johnny-come-lately, the new kid in town/Everybody loves you, so don’t let them down/… So it goes.

Mark Andrew Bandoc Directo is throwing his hat into the political ring for the first time against traditional politicians and at this late in time, chances are dim even nil. But the spirit lives on and don’t count him out though because this Johnny-come-lately may have somethings better to offer and come out the best alternative. Remember the biblical story of David and Goliath, a classic tale of a young shepherd-boy defeating a giant. It teaches courage, faith, and overcoming what seems impossible.

David was the youngest of Jesse’s twelve sons. One day, the nation of Israel was called to fight the Philistine army that had gathered for war. While David’s brothers went to fight, young David stayed back. The two armies gathered to stand on opposite sides of a deep valley. A great Philistine giant named Goliath, who stood at over nine feet tall, came to the front of the Philistine battle line each day for forty days and mocked the Israelites and their God. Goliath called them to fight, but King Saul and the Israelites were scared and did nothing.

His father, Jesse, sent David to visit the front lines and bring back battle news from his brothers. David heard Goliath mocking Israel and their God. David was brave and volunteered to fight Goliath. He persuaded King Saul to let him fight and decided not to wear any of his armor. David carried his sling and gathered five smooth stones. Goliath laughed at David, but David responded that even though Goliath had a sword and spear, he came in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel. David put a rock in his sling and swung one of the rocks at Goliath’s head.

The rock sank into the giant’s forehead, and he fell. David then picked up Goliath’s sword and used it to kill Goliath and cut off his head.
Mark Andrew was born in Baguio City but traces his roots in Bauko, Mt. Province where he was born 42 summers or so ago on December 19, 1983. His parents are Felecitas Bandoc and Martin Aticao DIrecto, thus he too has roots in Sabangan and Tadian. His grandfather
carried his original name Lang-guyan (one-name) but the Americans changed it to Directo which the family adopted. I too have roots in Mt. Province in Bila, which used to be Abila but was also changed by the Americans, hehe.

His family migrated to Itogon, Benguet where he spent his first taste of school in Ampucao Elementary School as we’ll as the Alejo M. Pacalso Memorial National High School. From there went to college in Baguio taking up courses in Tourism, Computer Science,
Criminology, Commerce yet like young men of his time, he seemed bored by the academic requirements and never got a degree unlike his worth opponents who have diplomas hanging on their walls. He was a man of the street though and was a fixture in the billiard halls and folk houses in Lakandula where he learned the ropes of survival relying on his human skills and talent to deal with persons on a personal and honest level.

He did not let his lack of a college degree hamper his dreams and he went into construction starting as peon, sales land, cars, vegetables,
furnitures, import and export or any product big or small that would give a little income, chinse style, kahit sentimo ang kita, kesa saw ala. His passion for public service started when he organized the M.A. Directo Foundation Inc, one of the major donors of Operation Siargao, who helped our fellow Filipinos greatly affected by the typhoon sending tons of vegetables – chayote, cauliflower, potatoes, and Baguio pechay. clothes and other food donations such as canned goods, noodles, and water to the residents of the island. He was at the forefront
of unity, especially in the hardest times.

He hit it big with imports, real estate, property development in Metro-Manila and Clark Pampanga and was included in the global trader
database of the Bureau of customs (NBD-Trade- Data, 2023-01-15.) His rag to riches story maybe a mystery to some but to others, isa syang “alamat” a legend, especially at the Clark Freeport Zone where he built a five star Resort with none first class villas as well as 6 condominnium buildings/ Of course, he had a few brushes with the justice system like some of the politicians but hey its election season and they throw mud and the kitchen sink just to destroy character.

The Bible and the Constitution though says “innocent until proven guilty.” His success in business left him hungry to help people especially those coming from the City which made “kandung” to him when he was penniless. He presents himself as The Alternative to those who have been in power for quite a while. He envisions a crime-free city, more education opportunities for the youth, livelihood, health and wellness. He is a Christian practicing in the Free Believers Community as he believes in one Supreme Being. There is a lot of promise in a new kid, why? Why not? There’s talk on the street, it’s there to remind you/Doesn’t really matter which side you’re on/You’re walking away and they’re talking behind you/. They will never forget you ’til somebody new comes along. Sigh

By: Atty. Ed Avila