BOMBO GRACE:

Her first assignment was to cover the 1986 snap presidential elections in Isabela between strongman Ferdinand Marcos and widow Corazon Aquino.

Waking up at 4 or 5 a.m. to host her 6 a.m. "Sa Totoo Lang" and, later, "Bombo Hanay Bigtime" programs was a daily routine for Padaca, who by then was slowly creating a name as "Bombo Grace." She teamed up with slain lawyer Elpidio Monteclaro for the "Alamin ang Iyong Karapatan" program over Bombo Radyo.

"For 14 straight years, I have been doing that. I did my best and poured all when I worked in radio," she says.

Her radio broadcast career made Padaca an influential figure not only in Isabela, but in Cagayan Valley as well. In 1992, a prosecutor in the province sued her for libel, causing her arrest and detention for three days. The case was eventually dismissed.

But Padaca says that period in her broadcast career made her realize that she was well-loved by many residents of Isabela. Her supporters launched a fund-raising campaign called "Piso-Piso para kay Bombo Grace" to pool money for her bail bond.

"Hundreds of sympathizers visited me in jail, many people offered prayers, and I cried after receiving such wholehearted support."

Ordinary woman

Though she is considered a political "giant slayer" for defeating Dy by more than 44,000 votes, Padaca does not want to brag about her feat.

"I am still the ordinary woman you used to see. My handicap has taught me to be always humble. God was right when he gave me this disability; I do not have the temerity to be boastful," she says.

"Since I encountered a lot of trials and obstacles, I became a stronger person, not easily daunted by challenges. Since I have always felt that there is no one more powerful and faithful to turn to than God, I have lived a life that is full of awe and love for Him. I should not disappoint Him with the things I do."

In 2000, she left the broadcast media and worked as a state auditor of the Commission on Audit.

Following calls from her supporters to run for public office, she resigned from COA in 2001 and ran against Dy's brother, Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III, in Isabela's third congressional district race. Padaca, who lost by a slim margin against Dy III in 2001, protested Dy III's victory.

To earn a living while following up her protest before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, she worked as an accountant for Hacienda Bigaa Inc., a Makati-based company.