Official Headshot of Romeo A. Mataac, Jr.
Romeo Mataac Jr: A Provincial Dreamer Who Turned Hard Work into a Life of Service
Born on February 25, 1988, in Buangan, Torrijos, Marinduque, Romeo Almonte Mataac Jr is a true son of the province whose journey from a humble beginning to a career in media, government, academe, and public service is a story of perseverance, hard work, and an enduring commitment to his fellow Marinduqueños.
Romeo began his education at Buangan Day Care Center, where he graduated as Second Honor in 1995. At the young age of seven, he entered Grade One at Torrijos Elementary School and completed his elementary education in 2000. He pursued his secondary education at Our Mother of Perpetual Succor Academy (OMPSA), where he became active in student leadership and was elected Public Relations Officer of the Student Body Organization.
Coming from a province and moving to Manila to pursue higher education was not easy. Far from his family, friends, and familiar surroundings, Romeo experienced the loneliness and challenges faced by many provincial students trying to build a better future. Yet, rather than allowing these challenges to discourage him, he turned them into motivation.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Management, from Rizal Technological University (RTU) on April 7, 2009.
While studying at RTU, Romeo worked as a student assistant with the guidance and support of his fellow Marinduqueña, Dr. Myrna Profeta of Mogpog, whom he came to regard as a second mother. Working while studying taught him the value of discipline, humility, and perseverance—qualities that would later define his professional life.
Recognizing the need for Marinduqueño students in Manila to have a community of their own, Romeo founded the Samahan ng mga Kabataang Marinduqueño at RTU in 2008. The organization brought together Marinduqueño students at the university, providing them with a sense of belonging and a connection to their home province. Romeo served as its first president, and the organization was subsequently accredited by the university's Office of Student Affairs.
His leadership extended beyond the organization. He also served as Vice Chairperson of the Student Council of his college. His dedication to student leadership earned him a Student Leadership Award, while his academic performance made him a consistent Dean's Lister of the College of Business and Entrepreneurial Management. He was also a scholar of Club Marinduqueño Inc.
Even before graduating, Romeo had already begun building his professional career. His performance during his on-the-job training at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) led to an opportunity to work with the bank as a Data Encoder, where he was assigned to the Compensation and Benefits Management Division. At the same time, he served as a lecturer in the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Department of RTU.
In 2010, Romeo joined Accenture as a Data Analyst, beginning a nearly decade-long career in the corporate world. His experience in data analysis, business processes, and technology further strengthened his professional skills and broadened his perspective.
But despite his growing career in Manila, his heart remained firmly rooted in Marinduque.
On January 1, 2013, Romeo began building what would eventually become Marinduque News Network (MNN)—a platform envisioned to bring relevant, timely, and credible information closer to the people of his home province. What started as a personal initiative would grow into one of Marinduque's most widely followed sources of news and information.
In 2020, Romeo was appointed Provincial Information Center Officer of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Marinduque, where he took on the responsibility of leading the agency's information efforts in the province. His work placed him at the intersection of government information, journalism, and public communication.
At the same time, he continued nurturing MNN and sharing his knowledge in the academe as a part-time professor at Marinduque State University.
After years of government service, Romeo made a bold decision to enter public life. On October 8, 2024, he left the PIA to pursue another form of service—this time through electoral politics. He ran for Municipal Councilor of Torrijos, hoping to bring his experience in communication, governance, and community engagement into local government.
Although he was not successful in the election, the experience did not end his commitment to public service.
Romeo returned his full attention to Marinduque News Network, continuing his work as its Founder and Chief Correspondent. Through MNN, he has remained committed to informing Marinduqueños about the issues, events, accomplishments, and stories that matter to their communities.
His work in curating and delivering news has contributed significantly to transparency, public awareness, and civic engagement in Marinduque. Through years of reporting, he has built a reputation for pursuing timely and relevant information while giving communities a platform to be heard.
From a young boy in Buangan who dreamed of finishing college, to a working student in Manila, a student leader, data analyst, government information officer, educator, journalist, and aspiring public servant, Romeo's journey reflects the enduring spirit of a provincial dreamer who refused to let circumstances define his future.
His story is ultimately not about the positions he has held, but about the people and province he has chosen to serve.
For Romeo Mataac Jr, the journey that began in a small community in Torrijos continues—with the same dream that brought him from Marinduque to Manila: to learn, to serve, and to give back to the community that shaped him.
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