For the first time in its history, Apayao has elected a woman to the second-highest post in the province.
Kyle Mariah Chelsea Bulut-Cunan, an incumbent Board Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and long-time youth advocate, is now Vice Governor-elect of Apayao.
Her election signals the arrival of a new generation of leadership that is grounded, educated, and unafraid to do the work.
Bulut-Cunan holds a degree in Business Management from De La Salle University (DLSU) and is currently completing her Master’s in Public Administration at Apayao State College (ASC). But outside her credentials, she brings field experience and an active record of public service, having chaired programs that focused on health, education, tourism, and women’s rights during her time in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Among her notable programs was the “Apayao Outstanding Youth (APOY) Search,” which recognized young achievers in the province. A project that mirrors her belief that leadership starts from the ground up.
Before entering politics, she was already leading in other fields. She is a businesswoman, a reservist in the Armed Forces, and a community organizer. Her efforts have included school supply drives, livelihood support programs, and the post-disaster initiative “Rebuild Hope for Apayao.”
She is also a fellow of the Jesse Robredo Foundation, a distinction reserved for public servants who demonstrate integrity and people-centered leadership.
Now seated as Vice Governor, Bulut-Cunan brings both legislative experience and community-level insight to the provincial board. Her election is a first, but it won’t be the last step in reshaping leadership in Apayao.
As Vice Governor-elect, Bulut-Cunan steps into a role never before held by a woman in Apayao, but her record suggests she intends to be known not for being the first, but for what she does next. By Loremia Pareja
