‘NOBODY BUT JERRY’: Treñas tells his story in memoir written during cancer treatment

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Former Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on Tuesday, March 17, launched his memoir “Nobody But Jerry,” offering a personal account of his life — from his early years in politics to his role in shaping what he considers the modern Iloilo City.

“Nobody But Jerry is not just about my life in politics, but the journey of an Ilonggo who was given the chance by the people to serve the city he loves,” he said.

The 272-page book traces key moments in his political career, from his appointment as officer-in-charge city councilor in 1986, his election victories, his first term as mayor in 2001, his stint as congressman beginning in 2010, and his return as mayor from 2019 to 2025.

“It tells the stories of victories and failures, of difficult moments and happy ones, and of the lessons I learned along the way,” he added.

More than a recounting of political milestones, Treñas said the book also reflects his personal life as a husband, father, and public servant navigating the demands of leadership and family.

“If there is one thing I hope readers will take from this memoir, it is that public service is never about one person. It is about community, about commitment, and about believing that we can always make things better if we work together,” he emphasized.

The book’s title was inspired by a defining moment in 2010 when supporters gathered outside Treñas’s law office wearing shirts that read “Nobody but you, Jerry,” marking his break from the group of the late Justice secretary Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. and his eventual congressional bid.

Treñas served multiple terms as Iloilo City mayor and as representative of the city’s lone congressional district, making him one of the longest-serving political figures in the city’s modern history.

His tenure was marked by major infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, and the modernization of public services that transformed the city’s urban landscape.

The memoir is divided into eight chapters and features contributions from prominent figures, including former Finance Secretary Jesus P. Estanislao, who wrote the foreword, and CityNet Secretary-General Vijay Jagannathan, who penned the endword.

Treñas shared that he started working on the book in February 2025 and continued writing it even while undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Treñas recently confirmed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, saying his latest positron emission tomography scan showed encouraging results and that the disease is responding to chemotherapy.

He said the book launch was held with limited attendance because he is currently immunocompromised due to treatment.

“There is still so much about Iloilo that deserves to be told for future generations. Let us continue writing the story of Iloilo together,” he said.

Treñas has decided not to run in the 2028 elections for his third and final term due to health reasons.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, his daughter, described the book as a deeply personal account of a leader she witnessed both at home and in public service.

“Through the years, I saw a man who did not only think about his family, but also about the future of an entire city. I saw a leader with vision, determination, and a deep love for the people he served,” she said.

She added that growing up around public service — from quietly observing, to volunteering behind the scenes, and later serving as his executive assistant — shaped her own path in government.

“I stand here today—not only as a proud daughter, but as a proud public servant deeply inspired by the life and example of former Mayor Jerry P. Treñas,” she added.