I am very proud to share the good news to all my fellow Lagunense that are Kababayan based in England is really such a pride of our Province of Laguna.

She is Cynthia Alcantara Barker and announced as town mayor of Hertsmere, Hertfordshire last June 2020. She made Laguna Philippines history as the first Filipina from Laguna to be elected in the position.

Here are some facts about our Lagunense Pride:

She was elected as Councillor last 2015

She was a Deputy Mayor in 2019
She started making history in 2015 when she was elected as town councilor of Elstree and Borehamwood. Under the Conservative Party, she then ran for Deputy Mayor in 2019 and was elected by her constituents.

Next to Danny Favor, she is the second Filipino elected as town mayor.

Indeed, Barker is the first Filipina elected as town mayor in England. But prior to her success, another Filipino, Danny Favor, was voted mayor of East Grinstead, making him the first Filipino town mayor in the country. His term will end in 2021.

She is recognised and awarded by the British community.

Due to her leadership contribution in the community, Barker received a British Community Honours Award and met the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

She grew up in San Pablo City, Laguna

She studied Industrial Engineering in Adamson University.

She moved to UK After finishing her degree and worked for the British Council. Years later, she started her own businesses in various fields including recruitment, healthcare care training and immigration law practice.

She is the daughter of an OFW

Her OFW mother is the one who helped them to migrate to the UK.

When asked about her advice to fellow Filipinos, 

Barker said that the key is to not forget about your Philippine blood and to merge it with new cultures. “You will not be successful, or you will not be happy if you say ‘I am just British or I’m just Filipino. You have to integrate and embrace both.”

Truly you are such a Pride despite on this pandemic situation our country is facing off, you are such a great inspiration, thanks for this wonderful good news!

RichEmz.