By Eric Borromeo
Optimum Star Claudine Barretto has seen the glitz of showbiz and weathered some of life’s harshest storms in the public eye. But in a remote town nestled in the mountainous terrains of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, the acclaimed actress found something she didn’t quite expect—genuine warmth, unexpected kinship, and a renewed sense of connection.
Claudine recently visited Nunungan during the campaign period of then-Mayor Marcos Mamay and his daughter, Alliah Mamay, who was running for Mayor. Despite the political buzz, what struck her most wasn’t the typical campaign frenzy but the heartfelt welcome she received from the local Muslim community.
“Naiyak talaga ako nung makita ko kung gaano ka-warm ang mga Muslim sa pagtanggap sa akin. At nasaksihan ko din talaga kung gaano naman kamahal ng mga taga-Nunungan si Mayor Mamay at ang anak niyang si Alliah,” Claudine shared.
The Mamays’ landslide victory wasn’t just a political milestone—it was a testament to the legacy of trust and progress Mayor Marcos built over his three terms. Under his leadership, Nunungan rose from a 3rd Class to a 1st Class Municipality, as officially recognized by the Department of Finance—a rare feat for any small town.
But Claudine’s connection to the Mamays wasn’t born on the campaign trail. It began through a mutual friend—actress Katrina Paula. Even before politics entered the picture, Mayor Mamay had already expressed interest in casting Claudine in a film he was planning to produce.
“Naging close kami ni Mayor Mamay dahil kay Katrina. Pero na-meet ko na siya noon pa,” she recalled.
Even then, the friendship came with a few surprises. Claudine admitted she once carried the stereotypical fears often unfairly associated with Mindanao.
“Akala ko dati, pag sinabing taga-Lanao, taga-Mindanao, nakakatakot—matapang, masungit. Pero nung na-meet ko si Mayor Mamay, sobrang humble niya. Lalo niyang napatunayan ’yon, nung pumunta ako sa Nunungan,” she confessed.
The trip from Manila to Nunungan took nearly eight hours, but Claudine never hesitated. For her, it was personal.
“Pero I didn’t mind at all. Kasi gusto kong sumuporta sa kanya. Kasi, nung mga panahon na down na down ako, si Mayor nandyan lagi para tulungan ako—advice… sa lahat ng bagay. Siya yung go-to person namin ni Kat, which we feel safe sa kanya. Parang nakahanap kami ng kapatid.”
While she admired the transformation in infrastructure and governance, it was Mayor Mamay’s heart that left the deepest impression.
“So when I went to Nunungan, nakita ko kung paano niya pinaganda. Alam ko naman na sure win na. Sure win na nung pagpunta ko dun. Pero hindi siya naging kampante.”
What truly sealed her support was seeing how deeply loved and trusted Mayor Mamay was by his constituents.
“Alam nila na yung lider nila, hindi papayag na masaktan sila, o gaguhin sila… nakawin yung pera na nilaan ng gobyerno para sa kanila. Dun siya talaga napamahal sa mga Nunungan.”
She also praised the townspeople for their respect and discipline during her stay—something she rarely experiences elsewhere.
“Walang nambastos… walang nanghipo. Talagang disiplinado. Dahil siyempre, kung sino ang lider, parang siya yung tatay… he raised ang mga taga-Nunungan well.”
But Nunungan is not just a political stronghold—it’s a creative space, too. Mayor Mamay, who serves as an adviser to the Actors Guild of the Philippines, has dipped his toes in filmmaking. His life story became the basis for the biopic Mamay: A Journey to Greatness, starring Jeric Raval and Ara Mina, directed by Neal ‘Buboy’ Tan.
A follow-up film is already in the works, tentatively titled OFW, based on real-life experiences of overseas Filipino workers Mayor Mamay encountered during his outreach programs.
“Sa munti nating paraan, at sa maliit nating produksyon, patuloy din tayong susuporta at tutulong sa industriya ng pelikula sa pamamagitan ng pagpo-produce ng mga pelikula. It’s part of my advocacy na kahit papaano, makapagbigay tayo ng trabaho sa mga taga-industriya,” he explained.
Now with Mayor Alliah Mamay officially taking office and her father serving as Vice Mayor, the Mamays aim to continue Nunungan’s steady path toward progress.
“Sa tatlong termino ko, napatunayan din naman natin na napaganda natin ang Nunungan. May mga proyekto pa tayong tinatapos at madami pa tayong gagawin para iangat ang Nunungan,” said Mayor Mamay.
For Claudine, this isn’t just a story of politics—it’s a rare, personal discovery. A reminder that sometimes, in the unlikeliest places, you find the most genuine people.
“Masuwerte ang mga taga-Nunungan sa pagkakaroon ng lider na buo ang puso sa kanyang nasasakupan. Definitely, babalik ako dyan para makasama silang muli.”
In Nunungan, far from the blinding lights of showbiz, Claudine Barretto found not just an ally in Mayor Mamay—but a true friend, and a community that felt like home.
