Fil-Am becomes highest-ranking openly gay elected official in San Mateo County

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Life just keeps getting better for San Mateo County's lone known Filipino American elected official Robert Bernardo.  
 
Three years ago, he won in his first political candidacy for the Harbor Commission tasked with setting policy for the county's two public harbors Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco and Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay.
 
Last week he was selected by his four peers to lead them as president.
 
''Right now, I still can't believe it, it's such an honor," said Bernardo, who was secretary-treasurer prior to the July 17 selection. "I plan to facilitate discussion among my fellow Commissioners to keep us on the continued path of fiscal responsibility, harbor safety, environmental stewardship, and government accountability.''
 
Bernardo has earned the trust of a body composed of professional and political luminaries.
 
Vice president Pietro Parravano owns a commercial fishing company and secretary-treasurer Jim Tucker is a former member of the city council of Daly City. Member Sabrina Brennan is a business owner and Will Holzinger is an attorney.  
 
Bernardo is the only non-white on board. He is quick to note another distinction:
 
''This makes me the highest-ranking openly-gay elected official in the entire county.''
 
Bernardo touts working for gay rights among his key advocacies, which include the environment and education.
 
He cited ''hardship'' as reason for constantly reminding that he is the lone out lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender elected FilAm official in the San Francisco Bay Area.  
 
Bernardo is proud of his identity. 
 
Twenty years ago, he recalled, he won the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance pageant. A few years back, he was a grand marshal with the San Francisco Pride Parade. He disclosed that he is in a 20-year relationship with his partner, who is Jewish, and with whom he found his new faith.  
''As an openly-gay, Jewish, Filipino man, I have had to tolerate lots of bigotry and ignorance growing up,'' he told Philippine News. ''I have been called many hurtful names and have received my share of hate mail and hate messages. I feel that all of this has made me a more resilient and tougher person who can handle countywide politics.''
 
Bernardo attributes his success to his family.
 
''I thank my parents for raising me to be strong—and most importantly, for reminding to follow my dreams wherever they may take me.''
 
Indeed, Bernardo seems to have fostered an upward career trajectory.
 
The Manila-born, University of California Davis-educated resident of South San Francisco has sat on his town's Personnel and Planning Commissions, seemingly preparing him for elected office within.  
 
Instead of seeking a seat on the Board of Education, the typical route taken by those with political aspirations for the City Council, Bernardo opted to try for position with a wider constituency. One, that is, for which he believes he is best tailored.
 
''I feel that my background and experience make me uniquely qualified for this elected position,' said Bernardo, whose day job is port manager at the Port of Oakland. ''My full-time job at the fifth largest seaport in the United States has broadened my knowledge and understanding of marine issues and gives me a global perspective on harbors and marinas.''
 
The Harbor Commission was created by the Board of Supervisors in 1933 and is among county entities entrusted with stewardship of public funds, hence the electorate is given choice of its members.  
 
''A portion of the property taxes that San Mateo County residents pay goes directly to the Harbor District,'' Bernardo explained. ''We work to ensure that the county’s two harbors provide maximum benefit to all who use them—whether it’s commercial fishermen, boaters, surfers or others.''
 
The position comes with a $600 monthly stipend. Bernardo said he has donated a quarter of the amount to county nonprofits.
 
Residents of the county's 20 cities and 18 unincorporated towns have opportunity to rate his performance next year when he runs for re-election. — Philippine News