Mention the name Sarmiento of San Jose del Monte and those in the know will, at the drop of a hat, associate it to a multi-million poultry industry ... to vast tracks of real estate in Bulacan developed into housing subdivisions, and a prestigious hotel and restaurant in Quezon City.

Jolina Sarmiento, — the youngest in the brood of four by couple Mayor Angelito and Madame Eve Sarmiento, — is just like any other personnel of one of the top media companies who’s not spared from routine office rules and regulations. No special favor from the higher ups and she swears she likes it that way.

"Like what my Dad says, whatever I do, I must do it well," she quips. In fact, if only to prove she has rose and still rising through the ranks, she would prefer to be known as plain and simple Jolina or Jolins to colleagues in the company — not the youngest daughter of San Jose del Monte city mayor.

Of course, her colleagues in the broadcast company, at first, look up to her.  But the Sarmiento scion’s humble gestures and easy-to-get-along-with mien has finally established a healthy bonding  among her co-workers.  It's no wonder, because she has been bred in a family of politicians who values human relations, where making it to the top of the heap is achieved through sheer hard work, perseverance and foresight.

Don Pablo Sarmiento, the patriarch of the clan now in his early 90s, has woven what sounds like a classical rag-to-riches tale unsurpassed as yet in the province of Bulacan. The grand old man of San Jose del Monte has inculcated in his children and grandchildren the time-honored values of hard work and humility.

During the heat of the 2004 campaign for city mayor of San Jose del Monte, Jolina was conspicuously visible in the barangay-to-barangay barnstorming, urging people to support her dad and his platform of government. Those winsome smiles and sincere handshakes in a way helped boost candidate Sarmiento’s chances of winning votes.

Jolina’s involvement in her dad’s political activities did not end with the election and the assumption of the pro-active and visionary local chief executive to the office won thru a tough electoral battle, though. She is always around to assist the city administration in its social activities – especially in her mom’s tourism projects.

A BS Human Resource Management graduate from De La Salle University College of St. Benilde, she is currently employed as a "specialist", a position she undertakes with tact and dedication.

Another of her special talents is acting as emcee in a number of activities involving the local government. At one time, she was the co-emcee of showbiz personality Tita Swarding in the Miss San Jose del Monte pre-pageant.  She, however, sorely missed co-emceeing the final Pageant Night at the Grotto Vista Resort "because office works should comes first," It’s only on Saturdays and Sundays that she is free to assist her parents in public service.

Asked if she is inclined to join the broadcasting field either as anchor woman or field reporter (the likes of Korina Sanchez and others), she replied "siguro behind-the-scene lang ako" as researcher or scriptwriter and nothing more.

And what about politics? Not her cup of tea, she swears again.  It never occurred in her wildest dream.

"Tama na siguro na my dad lang ang nasa politics and public service as city mayor...and cousin King Sarmiento as city councilor," she quips.

The ever-solicitous Mayor Sarmiento is a former three-termer congressman of the 4th district of Bulacan and has served as Secretary on Agricultural Modernization under the GMA administration.

But what if the political leaders of San Jose del Monte urge her to fill the void that would one day be left by her dad?

"Personally, the thought of being a politician did not occur to me... tutulong na lamang po siguro ako sa mga magagandang programang panlipunan at pangkabuhayan ni Daddy as long as he is in office," he says.

What if it's the mayor himself who urges her to run for mayor to continue the programs he has started, would she still maintain her stand as private person?

"Being the youngest, doesn’t mean I’m spoiled... in fact I’m the most masunurin pa nga...kaya siguro mapilitan na rin ako, thus comes her curt reply with a knowing smile. (By Jun Valencia)