History was made in the Filipino community in the UK as Myla Arceno, a British-Filipino National Health Service worker, was appointed as the first Filipina mayor of Stevenage, England.
Her election marks a significant milestone for both the Filipino community and the Labour Party.
Arceno’s victory can be attributed to her dedication as an NHS worker and the support of the Filipino community in Stevenage.
On May 24, 2023, Arceno secured the votes of Stevenage councillors, officially becoming the appointed mayor of the town in North-East Hertfordshire.
Expressing her pride in this achievement, Arceno stated in an ABS-CBN report, “I’m very proud that we will bring this pride to the Filipino community, not only in Stevenage but also to Filipinos.”
Arceno’s political journey began in 2021 when she won a seat as a councillor for the Martins Wood Ward.
The following year, she served as the Deputy Mayor, and now, at the recent annual meeting of the Stevenage council, she has taken on the role of mayor.
She becomes the third Filipino mayor in the UK and the first Filipino mayor from the Labour Party.
Danny Favor previously served as mayor of East Grinstead, and the late Cynthia Barker held the position in Hertsemere. Both were affiliated with the Conservative Party.
Arceno credits her victory not only to her personal achievements but also to the collective effort of the Filipino community in Stevenage.
She acknowledges the significant role of NHS staff during the pandemic and their impact on the local community. As an NHS worker for 20 years, Arceno believes her experience played a crucial part in her electoral success.
