‘Papa Eddie will guide me’, says Samsam

With great deference to his grandfather, 27-year-old Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas was introduced to political supporters yesterday as the successor of Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s 1st district.

“The only thing that distinguishes me from Papa Eddie is that he didn’t have a Papa Eddie to mentor him. I have Papa Eddie to mentor me,” said the sports-minded young man who is taking a master’s degree in the Ateneo School of Business.

Congressman Gullas, 82, formally presented his protege for the 2013 election to leaders of the Alayon Party during a luncheon at Marco Polo Plaza.

“I will be the best Samsam Gullas I could ever be,” said the politcal neophyte, who is being groomed to run for a district that includes southern cities of Talisay, Carcar and Naga and towns of Minglanilla, Sibonga and San Fernando.

He said his dream project is to build a sports center that is “Abellana and Lapu-Lapu Hoop’s Dome combined” and wants to push for more government-owned colleges in the district.

In an interview, Rep. Gullas said his grandson is capable of doing the job of national legislation even though Samsam never held public office before.

“I had no experience when I ran for congress in 1969. You have to learn the ropes as you go along the way,” the congressman said.

He said Samsam graduated with academic excellence as summa cum laude of his class in the Center for International Education in 2009 and finished a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Samsam is the eldest son of Gerald Anthony “Didi” Gullas, and serves as team manager of the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers basketball team.

He is also the assistant vice president for finance and administration of the Gullas-owned university.

Rep. Gullas said the decision to choose Samsam was consulted with Alayon party members and the Gullas family.

“Pass on the torch. Pass on the legacy of public service. He is capable. He has been my chief of staff for over a year. He has carried on implementation of my projects,” Gullas said.

Samsam told Cebu Daily News he’s been handling projects of the congressman such as basketball tournaments and feeding programs as well as pitching in for some speaking engagements.

“Its an advantage for Papa Eddie. He’s done everything. I’m basically starting from scratch. I’m new. I have nothing to show yet,” he said.

”I’m ready for anything… Trust his abilities to mentor me.”