Trailing with Grace: Pastor-Public Servant Poppo Cosalan’s Steady Climb in Baguio Politics
Andy Ignacio — April 30, 2025
Trailing with Grace: Pastor-Public Servant Poppo Cosalan’s Steady Climb in Baguio Politics
BAGUIO CITY — As the 2025 elections heat up in Baguio City, all eyes are on the leading contenders—chief among them Gladys Vergara, whose land rights advocacy and clean governance image have captured much of the city’s imagination. But quietly, steadily, and with an air of dignified purpose, trailing behind her is another formidable figure: A Pastor and an Engineer and most importantly a public servant, Isabelo “Poppo” Cosalan.
Pastor First, Politician Second
Before he was Councilor Cosalan, he was—and remains—Pastor Poppo. For years, he has served as a spiritual shepherd at Good News Community Church in Baguio City. Here, faith is not just preached but practiced through community outreach, youth mentorship, and scriptural teaching rooted in compassion and accountability. His sermons are often grounded in current realities, inspiring his congregation not just to believe, but to act justly and serve humbly.
Cosalan’s pastoral calling came long before his political ambitions. His church recognizes him not only as a leader of the Word, but as a counselor, friend, and advocate for the downtrodden.
From Pulpit to Podium: The Lawmaker with a Conscience
Cosalan’s entry into politics did not dilute his ministry—it enhanced it. His tenure as city councilor has been marked by legislation that mirrors his church’s core values: integrity, stewardship, and service to the least among us. He authored the ordinance declaring Baguio a “Character City,” emphasizing values formation in both government and civil society. For him, ethical leadership is not a campaign slogan—it is Scripture in action.
An engineer by profession, Cosalan brings technical skill and logical rigor to policymaking. He’s a licensed geodetic engineer and a graduate of Saint Louis University, qualities that give him a practical edge in addressing Baguio’s spatial, infrastructural, and environmental challenges.
A Quiet But Firm Voice for Indigenous Rights
As a proud Ibaloi, Cosalan has worked tirelessly to safeguard ancestral domains, push for IP representation, and protect sacred heritage from urban sprawl. He speaks with the authority of both tradition and law—grounding his proposals in the lived realities of indigenous peoples long ignored by some politics.
His efforts to create the City Enterprise Development and Management Office (CEDMO) reflect his vision for a Baguio that is self-sustaining and well-managed, without losing its soul or selling its future.
Trailing, But Not Outpaced
While Cosalan currently trails behind Gladys Vergara in local popularity polls, his campaign isn’t defined by noise or spectacle. It is defined by moral steadiness, legislative track record, and a calm but confident faith.
In a city searching for leaders, Pastor-Public Servant Poppo Cosalan stands as a rare breed: someone who speaks truth in the sanctuary and in session, who prays for the city even as he legislates for it.
