Mel Mathay

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Austria and the surname or paternal family name is Mathay.

Ismael Austria Mathay Jr. (June 26, 1932 – December 25, 2013),^[1] also known as Mel Mathay, was a Filipino lawyer and politician who last served as the Mayor of Quezon City from 1992 to 2001. Previously, he had also served as vice mayor of Quezon City from 1968 to 1971, secretary to the commissioner of the General Authority Office from 1972 to 1981, vice governor of the Metro Manila Commission from 1979 to 1986, an assemblyman representing Quezon City in the Regular Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986, representative for the city's 4th district from 1987 to 1992, director of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from 1979 to 1987, and chairman of the Metro Manila Authority (now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) from 1993 to 1994.

Mel Mathay
8th Mayor of Quezon City
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Vice Mayor	Charito Planas (1992–1995) Herbert Bautista (1995–1998) Jorge L. Banal (1998) Fe Consuelo S. Angeles (1998–2001)
Preceded by	Brigido R. Simon Jr.
Succeeded by	Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.
Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Authority
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1994
President	Fidel V. Ramos
Preceded by	Ignacio Bunye
Succeeded by	Prospero Oreta
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon City's 4th congressional district
In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.
Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Quezon City
In office June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986 Serving with Orlando S. Mercado, Cecilia Muñoz-Palma and Alberto Romulo
Vice Governor of the Metro Manila Commission
In office 1979–1986
Appointed by	Imelda Marcos
Governor	Imelda Marcos
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Vice Mayor of Quezon City
In office January 1, 1968 – December 30, 1971
Mayor	Norberto S. Amoranto
Preceded by	Mariano Sta. Romana
Succeeded by	Carlos Albert
Personal details
Born	Ismael Austria Mathay Jr. (1932-06-26)June 26, 1932 Manila, Philippine Islands
Died	December 25, 2013(2013-12-25) (aged 81) Pasig, Philippines
Resting place	Christ the King Parish - Greenmeadows, Quezon City
Political party	Independent (1992–2004, 2005–13)
Other political affiliations	KBL (1984–92) KNP (2004)
Spouses	Sonia Gandionco ​ (died 2012)​ Vilma Valera ​ (m. 2013)​
Relations	Ara Mina (granddaughter) Cris Mathay (grandson)
Children	4
Residence	Quezon City
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BS) San Beda College (LL.B)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Lawyer

Early life and education

Ismael Austria Mathay Jr. was born in Manila on June 26, 1932, to Ismael Mathay Sr., who would later serve as a Cabinet member under President Sergio Osmeña,^[2] and Josefina Mathay.^[3][4]

Mathay graduated in 1953 with bachelor's degree in Business Administration Major in Economics in the University of the Philippines, where he joined the prestigious Upsilon Sigma Phi. Soon after graduation, he enrolled at the College of Law in San Beda College and successfully passed the bar examination in 1957.

Political career

Mathay was elected Vice Mayor of Quezon City in 1967, serving from 1968 to 1971. In 1972, he was appointed secretary to the commissioner of the watchdog General Authority Office, a genuine recognition for his talent and integrity. Mathay had completed tenure of 9 years.

Prior to his becoming city mayor, he served as the vice-governor of the Metro Manila Commission from 1979 to 1986, an assemblyman representing Quezon City in the Regular Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986, and congressman representing Quezon City's 4th district from 1987 to 1992.^[5][6] He was director of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from 1979 to 1987, and chairman of the Metro Manila Authority from 1993 to 1994. He tried to reclaim the mayoral position in 2004 and 2010 but lost to Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Herbert Bautista, respectively.

Personal life

Mathay married his long-time partner Vilma Valera early in 2013, one year after the death of his first wife Sonya Gandionco. Actress Ara Mina and San Juan City councilors Cris and Ismael "Macky" Mathay IV are his grandchildren through his son Ismael "Chuck" Mathay III.^[7]

Death

Mathay died of a heart attack at the age of 81 on December 25, 2013, at The Medical City Ortigas in Pasig.^[8][9][10] His remains were cremated on Deccember 28 and later inurned at Christ the King Parish - Greenmeadows in Quezon City.^[11]

In popular culture

He was portrayed by Marlon Mance and Billy Jake Cortez as the young Mel Mathay in the 2023 film Martyr or Murderer.

References

1. "Quezon City Leaders". Quezon City Government Official Website. April 14, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
2. "Sergio Osmeña: 2nd President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines - War Cabinet 1944-45". The Philippine Presidential Project. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
3. "CALL NUMBER: LC-USW3- 054094-C [P&P]". Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
4. "Ismael Austria Mathay, Jr". Geni.com. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
5. "Former QC mayor dies". SunStar. December 29, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
6. "QM-02-2022" (PDF). Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. April 1, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
7. Mathay, Rikki (July 6, 2022). "Carving a name in politics". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
8. "Former QC mayor dies on Christmas day". abs-cbnnews.com. December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
9. "Former QC Mayor Mel Mathay dies at 81". rappler.com. December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
10. "Ismael 'Mel' Mathay, 81". bworldonline.com. December 26, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
11. "Imelda Marcos mourns Mel Mathay". The Manila Times. December 27, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2025.

House of Representatives of the Philippines
New district	Representative, 4th District of Quezon City 1987 – 1992	Succeeded by Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
Political offices
Preceded by Mariano Sta. Romana	Vice Mayor of Quezon City 1968 – 1971	Succeeded by Carlos Albert
New office	Vice Governor of Metro Manila Commission 1979 – 1986	Position abolished
Preceded by Brigido Simon Jr.	Mayor of Quezon City 1992 – 2001	Succeeded by Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
Preceded by Ignacio Bunye	Chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Authority 1992 – 1994	Succeeded by Prospero Oreta as Chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority