The life of Aklan Governor Carlito Samson Marquez is a story of struggle from his family’s stature mired in economic deprivation while inching his way to a college education with no stable means of financial support. Yet, his determination, patience and perseverance enabled him to finish his elementary with honors in 1954 at the Laguinbanua Elementary School in Numancia, his high school as Third Honors at the Aklan College (now Aklan Catholic College) in 1958 and his Chemical Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1963 while passing the Board with a rating of 84.25 percent, placing him among the ten topnothchers.

The “Imposing Towers in Makati” describes the governor’s rise from virtual bondage of poverty to emancipate himself and family through a successful business using his own formulation learned as a chemical engineer to develop bottle detergents with a very small capitalization of P1,000. He built the now giant business firm, Polychem Engineering and Industries which manufacture bottle washing detergents, industrial cleaners and processed chemicals for the sugar industry.

A very successful entrepreneur and scientist, Marquez reaped significant awards and recognitions from prestigious award giving bodies such as the Most Outstanding Aklanon in the field of Science and Technology in 1988, the Most Outstanding Mapuan Award in the field of Chemistry, also in 1988, a Diploma of Honor as Most Outstanding Alumnus in 1989, and the Most Outstanding Citizen of Western Visayas in 1990.

Being the eldest of the five children, the family always serves as an inspiration for the Provincial Governor. He was born on July 21, 1942 in Laguinbanua, Numancia, Aklan from spouses Jose Gonzales Marquez of Old Buswang, Kalibo and Saludada Briones Samson of Laguinbanua, Numacia. His 40 years of marriage to Elizabeth Dalida Ricaforte of Banga, Aklan is blessed with five children, sons Jess, Anthony and John Paulo and daughters Malou and Lilibeth.

Marquez was elected as the 14th Governor with an overwhelming mandate during the May 10, 2004 elections. He was re-elected for a second term in May 2007. He popularized and exemplified the economic slogan, “Owa it nakagaid sa kapobrehan” (No one is condemned to poverty). He is now known as the father of Hybrid Rice Production in Aklan. Under his administration of the province’s resources, Boracay’s tourism was transformed into a P10 billion industry, an achievement rarely equaled by public servants. Still, he envisions the “Golden Province of Aklan” to be truly peaceful and prosperous. After all, he has proven that he has the power to make his dreams come true.