Never in her plans was politics a part, nor did she dream that one day she would dip her finger into it, considering its notoriety as a cauldron dominated by checkered characters whose credibility has much to be desired. Safely ensconced in the business world, and taking care of family, her decision to run as Mayor of Loay came as an immense surprise, even causing some tints of shock to those who know her as a mother, wife, and an entrepreneur.

What really triggered her entry into politics? The desire to serve was her reply, when this interview took place at the Brew Point, a watering hole that is fast becoming a favorite of "night owls" who love to sip coffee, juice or wine before succumbing to a night's sleep after a hectic day. The May that I knew as a young, vibrant and beautiful student at Divine Word College, who later finished BSN at the University of Bohol, has not aged a day if based upon looks. For she is still the charming and attractive coed of some years ago, except perhaps in the way she expounds on her views now, and the depth of her perception.

Rosemarie Lim-Imboy (RLI) epitomizes the modern woman with a career, but who still finds time for her family. The way she looks betray the fact that she has reared five children and is a grandmother of three: Heather Marie (6), Haven Margarette (4) and Nathan (9 months).

Narrating her first taste of the political menu, she was a composed Lady and sometimes an animated girl declaring a self-discovery away from her business chores. The initiation took shape when her husband, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Legislator Brigido "Boy" Imboy, a Mechanical Engineer by profession, run for the topmost position of PCL (Philippine Councilors' League), BLI Chapter. Earlier, when he ran as Councilor of Loay and landed the top berth, there was not much fuzz, although she was then branded Boy's "Secret Weapon". At the PCL, she surfaced as a smart Lady with formidable savvy in the vote-getting fray. She shook hands, shared her ideas, exchanged pleasantries and diatribes, in a most confident and comfortable stance, impressing everybody, always with that attractive smile, making observers conclude that she can be a good politician. In the May 2007 election May proved them right

LMP: One of the unique qualities of Loay compared to the other municipalities is your legacy in religion and history. No less than the Philippine Historical Commission ang nagsulti nga ang site sa Blood Compact is in Loay. What is your comment about this?
RLI: It is really considered a blessing nga natawo ko in Loay nga considered as one of the historical places because of the Blood Compact. Others call it Sandugo, we call it Blood Compact. It is an honor to be a part of this town that's why we are really doing our best to develop the site.

LMP: Aside from the Maskara Festival, unsa pay uban nga mga activities ang naa karon?
RLI: Loay, Sir, has many activities. I've been asking advices mahitungod ani kay dili man gyud kalikayan nga kon adunay activities, aduna poy mga solicitations. We cannot make it a big event kay na-scatter na sa gagmay nga events. Aduna nay Maskara, street dancing, parade, and then ang Blood Compact. So, I told them let's just have a one big celebration, let's experiment. Usahon nalang ang daghan nga activities. We are trying to improve everything. Dili lang ni siya pang-turista, it's part of our tradition na gyud.

LMP: Usa sa mga religious tradition which sets Loay apart from the other towns kining Sugat during Easter Sunday. Nagpadayon ba gihapon ni?
RLI: Since it's almost Holy Week, I talked with the Parish Priest nga we'll make the religious tradition bigger and nicer this time. Magsugod karong March 23. Aside from that religious activity, gipadayon na namo ang Chapter sa Religious Club gikan sa Cebu dinhi sa Loay. Aduna nami grupo dinhi. Gisugdan na ni namo before apan wala madayon kay midagan man si Boy pagka Kagawad. Daghan pod among nadunggan nga gigamit kono namo ni nga grupo aron modaog akong bana. But it was never our intention. Although naa nami Groups 1 and 2, gi-undang namo apil na ang mga prayer meetings aron wala nay masulti ang mga tawo.

LMP: Let's go to the economic side, akong naobserbahan nga daghan gyud ang taga-Loay nga nahimo nang dato, apan wa sila sa Loay. Unsay imong ikasulti?
RLI: During fiestas, daghan ang mga balikabayan nga mouli dinhi. We never fail to acknowledge and give recognitions to these accomplished people. We consider them as outstanding Loayanons because of their achievements. There are times nga amo silang imbitaron to come and still support Loay. I am very positive that they will help this town. Before, adunay miingon nga bisan unsang suporta ang ilang ihatag, dili lang gihapon sila makakita ug improvement sa lungsod. They admitted nga wala sila mibotar nako before tungod kay wala silay salig. But now, na-realize nila nga I am worthy in my position because I did something to change our town. Adunay usa ka Loayanon nga naghimo ug Medical Mission last October. Nanghatag siya ug groceries to 500-1000 katawo. I want the people to feel nga we are doing something for the municipality.

LMP: With the things nga nahimo na nimo sa Loay, would you say that you already fulfilled?
RLI: Not yet, Sir. There are still so many things that I want to do for my town. So many things, so little time. Nahuman na nato ang improvement sa atong plaza; and I'm proud kay ang mga tawo nga mobisita dinhi, matinga nga naa di-ay plaza ang Loay. There's also this building nga people would call the white elephant kay wala magamit, but they were all shocked kay nagamit na karon. Our Municipal Health Office was transferred there. The habal-habal drivers are glad kay naa na may mga tawo adto nga area. I'm glad because the people in the municipality are all supportive of any projects. Motoo gyud ko sa giingon sa akong Mama nga if you give the people love, love will be given back to you. If you give them the opposite, mao pod na siya's madawat nimo.

LMP: What distinguishes you from the other politicians?
RLI: Importante ang Loay para nako, Sir. Gibiyaan namo ang business sa Cebu in exchange for this town. Although there are times nga medyo busy na ming duha ni Boy, we always make it a point nga we must have time for the children bisan pod ug layo ang among mga anak.

LMP: Can you say that Loay has made the right choice in you?
RLI: Ang mga taga-Loay ra ang makasulti ana, Sir.

Gone were the days when she had more time for her family, or a visit to a spa or salon, or a vacation away from the rigmarole of office concerns, or unscheduled tete-a-tete with close friends. Even malling is a rare commodity. All her waking hours are for her job. She never thought she could be this involved… unconditionally.

When she took her oath of office as the first lady Mayor of Loay, she shed tears, for in her mind was a dictum she still holds on to as a philosophy of life: "Way dahon nga matagak kon dili pag buot sa Ginoo."

She left her job as Vice President for Finance and Administration at the Lite Group of Companies. From being a self-centered private businesswoman she is now totally community-oriented. She started her term with some renovations and restorations of the Mayor's Office and the Treasurer's Office for transparency and accessibility. She consulted the heads of offices and streamlined all job-descriptions of employees, in a participative manner. A result of the consultation was the giving of amnesty to inhabitants with collectables. Illegal water connections were probed and legalized. Water supply is now in 24 hours and the collection increased from P 777,000 in 2006 to P 1.9 M in 2007. The monthly collection at the much improved Fishport went up from P 30,000 to P 100,000. Collection at the Public Market used to be only P 2-3,000. Now it is P 8-10,000.

Loay will have 2 market days starting in March: Tuesday and Friday. The hospital constructed by a former Congressman, which was dormant for more than 10 years, is now the town's Municipal Health Office. She has also encouraged local businessman to be more aggressive. She has beautified the Plaza and the Promenade. She has specific projects to entice Loayanon prospering outside of the province to lend a hand in the development of Loay.

Yet, summing things up, including the sleepless nights, Mayor May Imboy has no regret. The distance between her and the children is oftentimes unbearable; but there is no turning back. She is extremely grateful to the Almighty that none of her children has caused her and Boy any problem. They have grown up as dutiful sons and daughters, totally comprehending the adjustments all have to make.

She can only be fulfilled if she succeeds in her mission to uplift her beloved Loay.