Alfredo Paolo Dumlao Vargas III (born October 24, 1981), professionally known as Alfred Vargas, is a Filipino politician, actor, and model serving as a councilor of Quezon City from the 5th district since 2022. He previously served as a city councilor from the 2nd district from 2010 to 2013 and as representative from the 5th district from 2013 to 2022. As an actor, he is known for his portrayal of Aquil and Amarro in the Encantadia franchise.
Alfred Vargas | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Quezon City Council | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
| Constituency | 5th District |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Constituency | 2nd District |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon City's 5th district | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Michael Vargas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alfredo Paolo Dumlao Vargas III[1] October 24, 1981[1] San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | PDP–Laban (2017–present)[2] |
| Other political affiliations | Lakas-CMD (2009–2010) Liberal (2010–2017)[2] |
| Spouse | Yasmine Espiritu (m. 2010) |
| Relations | Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas (brother) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Ateneo de Manila University (AB) University of the Philippines Diliman (MPA) |
| Profession |
|
Biography and career
editVargas was born on October 24, 1979, in San Juan, Metro Manila to Alfredo "Freddieboy" Vargas, Jr. and Atty. Susana Dumlao-Vargas.
He graduated in A.B. Management Economics in Ateneo de Manila University. For his graduate studies, he went to the University of the Philippines Diliman and earned his master's degree in Public Administration.[3]
As an actor, he started his career as a member of ABS-CBN Star Magic (formerly Star Circle) acting workshop Batch 10. From there, he had his TV role in the drama soap opera, Pangako Sa 'Yo, from the same network. But this Ateneo de Manila graduate was acting in theatre long before the talent scouts lured him into television. He was also a front man of his own band, Privado.[4]
His breakthrough role came in the film Bridal Shower. After this, Vargas moved to the GMA Network where he featured in three shows in Philippine television: the daytime drama series, Daisy Siete, the fantasy series, Encantadia (as Aquil), and its prequel series Etheria (as Amarro, Aquil's father).
He played the leading role on the GMA daytime series Muli, opposite the Malaysian actress Carrie Lee and Marian Rivera as well as being part of the cast of Impostora in 2007. In 2008, he worked again with Marian Rivera in Dyesebel. He is also part of the upcoming installment of Una Kang Naging Akin co-starring Angelika dela Cruz, in which he plays "Ronnie".
His most recent movie projects include Status: Single and When I Met U. He is set to do an indie film, Amamanhig. In 2009, he appeared in All About Eve where he is reunited with his Impostora castmates Sunshine Dizon, Iza Calzado, and Mark Anthony Fernandez. He then made a villainous turn when he played the pirate captain Lima Wong in Zorro. He went on to play "Gabriel" in Darna but had to leave the series as he applied for candidacy for councilor.
In 2010, Vargas was reappearing in "Darna", becoming a successful reporter. In December 2010, he returned to ABS-CBN and did projects for the network without contract as he was a public servant serving and cannot be exclusive. In January 2017, he returned to his home network GMA Network and it would serve as Vargas comeback project after being on a hiatus for two years. This led to a familiar role as "Amarro", the father of Aquil in Encantadia's remake.
He was working on a GMA soap opera, which turned out to be Kambal, Karibal[5] while still balancing his congressional work.
Personal life
editVargas married Yasmine Espiritu in 2010. They have four children.[6]
Politics
editIn Quezon City local elections for District 2 on May 10, 2010, he was elected city councilor, with the second-highest number of votes in the district.[7]
Vargas won for the Congress in 2013, due to reapportioning from 2nd district to newly created 5th district of Quezon City which consist parts of Novaliches area, under the administration (LP/NP/NPC/NUP) coalition. His opponents were former old 2nd district Representatives Annie Rosa Susano (of Lakas) and Dante Liban (of the United Nationalist Alliance).
In 2016, Vargas ran for another term unopposed. He garnered 85% of the votes, a very high statistic considering he was an unopposed candidate.
In 2017, he left the Liberal Party for PDP–Laban, the ruling party under President Rodrigo Duterte.[2] In 2019, Vargas was reelected under the local ticket of Hugpong ng Pagbabago, defeating 4 other candidates.
He has passed Republic Acts including RA 10931 Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, RA 10645 mandating PhilHealth coverage for all senior citizens, RA 10747 Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines. He constantly campaigns for vulnerable sector such as Persons With Disabilities and cancer patients.[8] Likewise, he is known to push for traffic alleviation through Point-to-Point or P2P methods.[9]
Being term-limited, Vargas ran for councilor and switched places with his brother, councilor Patrick Michael Vargas, in 2022.[10][11] They both won in the elections.
House committee and memberships
edit| Committee | Position |
|---|---|
| Social Services | Chairperson |
| Appropriations | Vice Chairperson |
| Basic Education And Culture | Member for the Majority |
| Ecology | Member for the Majority |
| Government Enterprises And Privatization | Member for the Majority |
| Housing And Urban Development | Member for the Majority |
| Information And Communications Technology | Member for the Majority |
| Legislative Franchises | Member for the Majority |
| Metro Manila Development | Member for the Majority |
| National Defense And Security | Member for the Majority |
| Natural Resources | Member for the Majority |
| Science And Technology | Member for the Majority |
| Transportation | Member for the Majority |
| Youth And Sports Development | Member for the Majority |
Republic Acts
editServing two terms as a Congressman of District 5, Quezon City, Rep. Alfred Vargas was able to pass 17 Republic Acts:
| Republic Act No. | Short Title | Full Title |
|---|---|---|
| RA 10644 | Go Negosyo Act | An Act promoting job generation and inclusive growth through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises |
| RA 10645 | Member for the Majority | An Act providing for the mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all senior citizens, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 7423, as amended by RA 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010" |
| RA 10646 | Charter of the Quezon City Development Authority | An Act creating the Quezon City Development Authority (QCDA), defining its powers and functions, providing for its organizational structure and capitalization |
| RA 10648 | Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2015 | An Act providing scholarship grants to top graduates of all public high schools in state universities and colleges and appropriating funds therefore |
| RA 10667 | Philippine Competition Act | An Act providing for a National Competition Policy prohibiting anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions, establishing the Philippine Competition Commission and appropriating funds therefore |
| RA 10668 | An Act allowing foreign vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic transshipment and for other purposes | |
| RA 10679 | Youth Entrepreneurship Act | An Act promoting entrepreneurship and financial education among Filipino youth |
| RA 10687 | Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act | An Act providing for a comprehensive and unified student financial assistance system for tertiary education (UniFAST), thereby rationalizing access thereto, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes |
| RA 10716 | An Act changing the name of Batasan Hills National High School in Barangay Batasan Hills, City of Quezon, Metro Manila to Corazon C. Aquino National High School | |
| RA 10742 | Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 | An Act establishing reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan, creating enabling mechanisms for meaningful youth participation in nation-building, and for other purposes |
| RA 10747 | Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines | An Act promulgating a comprehensive policy in addressing the needs of persons with rare disease |
| RA 10867 | NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act | An Act reorganizing and modernizing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and providing funds therefor |
| RA 10906 | Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act | An Act providing stronger measures against unlawful practices, businesses, and schemes of matching and offering Filipinos to foreign nationals for purposes of marriage or common law partnership, repealing for the purpose RA 6955, also referred to as the "Anti-Mail Order Bride Law" |
| RA 10916 | Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016 | An Act requiring the mandatory installation of speed limiter in public utility and certain types of vehicles |
| RA 10922 | Economic and Financial Literacy Act | An Act declaring the second week of November of every week as Economic and Financial Literacy Week |
| RA 10930 | An Act Rationalizing and Strengthening the Policy Regarding Driver's License By Extending the Validity Period of Driver's Licenses, and Penalizing Acts in Violation of its Issuance and Application, Amending for those Purposes Section 23 of Republic Act No. 4136, as Amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 and Executive Order No. 1011, Otherwise Known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code | |
| RA 10931 | Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act | An Act Promoting Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education by Providing for Free Tuition and other School Fees in State Universities and Colleges, Local Universities and Colleges and State-Rum Technical-Vocational Institutions, Establishing the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Student Loan Program, Strengthening the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education, and Appropriating Funds Therefore, |
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2002 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Dyno Zuryete | [12][1] | |
| 2003 | Tipong Pinoy | Himself – Host | ||
| 2001–2003 | Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan | Lauro | ||
| 2004 | Marinara | Felipe | ||
| 2005 | Encantadia | Aquil | ||
| Love to Love | Mike | |||
| 2005—2006 | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia | Amarro/Aquil | ||
| 2006 | Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas | Aquil | ||
| I Luv NY | Sebastian Santos | |||
| Komiks Presents: Kapitan Aksyon | Kapitan Aksyon | |||
| Ang Pagbabago | Himself – Host | |||
| Pinakamamahal | ||||
| 2007 | Magic Kamison | Jaren Absede | ||
| Muli | Lukas Estadilla | |||
| Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang: Ang Prinsipeng Mahaba ang Ilong | Benito | |||
| Impostora | Dr. Carlos Pambide | |||
| 2007—2008 | Sine Novela: My Only Love | Emman Angeles | ||
| 2008 | E.S.P. | Dave | ||
| Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel | Erebus | |||
| Sine Novela: Una Kang Naging Akin | Ronnie Bautista | |||
| 2009 | All About Eve | Warren Bautista | ||
| Zorro | Captain Lima Wong | |||
| Dear Friend | Ron | Episode: "Karibal" | ||
| 2009—2010 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Gabriel Ramirez | ||
| 2011 | Pablo S. Gomez's Mutya | Prince Irvin | ||
| 2011—2012 | Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig | Mario Reyes | ||
| 2012 | Lorenzo's Time | Dr. Carlos Ramirez | ||
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | Lenny | Episode: "Gayuma" | ||
| 2013 | Wansapanataym | Mr. Perez | Episode: "Si Pam Pabaya At Ang Mahiwagang Goldfish" | |
| 2015 | Magpakailanman | Edgardo | Episode: "Ang Batang Isinilang Sa Bilangguan" with Gwen Zamora | |
| 2016—2017 | Encantadia | Amarro | ||
| 2017 | Tadhana | Joshua Pettigrew | ||
| 2017—2018 | Kambal, Karibal | Allan Magpantay | ||
| 2019 | Magkaagaw | Mario Santos | ||
| 2021 | Legal Wives | Naseer Makadatu | ||
| 2022 | Unica Hija | Christian Sebastian | ||
| 2023 | AraBella | Ariel Abarro | ||
| 2024 | Forever Young |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Liberated | James | ||
| 2004 | Bridal Shower | Joebert Pugeda | [1] | |
| 2005 | Bikini Open | Ross Ortega | ||
| Ang Lagusan | Noni | |||
| 2006 | I Wanna Be Happy | Ken | ||
| Gigil | Felix | |||
| Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh | Dodong | |||
| 2007 | Faces of Love | |||
| Banal | Jayson Ramos | |||
| 2009 | Status: Single | Sean | [1] | |
| When I Met U | Albert | [1] | ||
| Colorum | Simon Madriga | |||
| 2011 | Amamanhig | Ben Jalandoni | ||
| 2012 | Supremo | Andres Bonifacio | [13] | |
| 2015 | Felix Manalo | Prudencio Vasquez | ||
| 2017 | Ang Guro Kong 'Di Marunong Magbasa | |||
| 2018 | Badge of Honor: To Serve and Protect | PMaj. Rolando Ramos | Theatrically released nationwide on August 16, 2023 | [14] |
| 2019 | Wild Little Love | Luis | [15] | |
| 2020 | Tagpuan | |||
| 2023 | Pieta | Isaac |
Awards
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2024) |
As a public servant, Congressman Alfred Vargas garnered the following awards:
- 2013 MWWF Gintong Palad Award for Public Service
- Dekada Awardee, Gallery of Distinction, Golden Screen Awards
- Most Outstanding City Councilor, Manuel L. Quezon Bantayog Award, 2013
- Most Outstanding Councilor, Manuel L. Quezon Bantayog Award, 2012
- Special Award for Excellence in Public Service for 2012, Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc.
- Gintong Kabataan Award, Bulacan Outstanding Youth Achievement Award, 2008
- Outstanding Surigaonon Award for Theater and Arts, Rotary Club, 2007
He won the following as an actor:
- Best Actor, 10th Golden Screen Awards for Supremo
- Eastwood Walk of Fame Award, 2012
- Huwarang Artista sa Larangan ng Serbisyo Publiko, Famas Awards, 2012
- Dangal ng Lipi Award, 2010 Best Actor, MTRCB, 2010
- Best Actor Nominee, Gawad Urian Awards, 2010
- Top 10 Bachelors of 2007, Cosmopolitan Magazine
- Breakthrough Performance by an Actor, Golden Screen Awards, 2004
- 2nd Golden Screen Entertainment TV Awards of Enpress – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama series for Encantadia (nominated, tied with Pen Medina)
- Gawad Urian – Best Supporting Actor for Bridal Shower (nominated)
- Golden Screen Award – Breakthrough Performance by an Actor for Bridal Shower (won)
- 2012 35th Gawad Urian Awards – Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor) for Teoriya (nominated)