Sol Aragones

Marisol Castillo Aragones-Sampelo, also known as Sol Aragones, is a Filipina politician elected as representative of Laguna's 3rd District. Prior to that, she worked as a News Reporter and host of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs from 1995 to 2012.^[1]

Early life and education

She was born on November 6, 1977 in San Pablo, Laguna, to a simple family - her father is a tricycle driver.

She attended secondary school in Canossa College in San Pablo, Laguna, where she was a student leader. Her political rival, Evita Arago, also attended the same school.

After High School, she went on to the College of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, earning a bachelor's degree in Development Communication, with a major in Community Broadcasting, in 1998.

Career as a journalist

After her graduation, she joined ABS-CBN as news reporter, with her last day being September 17, 2012. She also worked as a radio anchor for DZMM until September 21, 2012.^[1]

She started as a writer in “Hoy Gising”, eventually becoming a reporter therein. She was the segment host for “Salamat Dok”, reflecting her passion for providing basic health services and education to the public. She has also been a segment host (Bargain Lady) in “Alas Singko Y Medya”, segment producer for “Verum Est” and “True Crime”, and co-host of the documentary “Kalye” with Anthony Taberna and Atom Araullo. She was the anchor for “Nagbabagang Balita” (breaking/hourly news) and DZMM's “S.R.O. - Suhestyon, Reaksyon at Opinyon”. She was also the Senior Reporter for TV Patrol, Bandila and Umagang Kay Ganda.^[2]

Her work was recognized through the following awards: best field reporter of the UPLB Gandingan Award in 2006, Distinguished Alumna Award in Media Practice by UP in 2009, Outstanding San Pableños Award in May 2010 and best field reporter in the 2011 Communication Guild (Comguild) Awards.^[2]

Politics

She joined the United Nationalist Alliance of Former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay.^[3] In 2013, she ran for congress in her home province of Laguna. Her allies include the incumbent Governor ER Ejercito and Board member Angelica Alarva. She won against her rival, Arago, by more than 10,000 votes.^[4]

Advocacy

Aragones' advocacies are the provision of education, health services and livelihood opportunities for all.^[2] Since the opening of the 16th Congress, she has filed House Bills according to her advocacies which include the Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility and Opportunity Act,^[5] the Pregnant Women's Protection Act,^[6] and the Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Discrimination Prohibition Act.^[7]

References