Honorific Prefix: | The Honorable |
Imelda Papin | |
Office: | Vice Governor of Camarines Sur |
Term Start: | June 30, 2019 |
Term End: | June 30, 2022 |
1Blankname: | Governor |
1Namedata: | Miguel Luis Villafuerte |
Predecessor: | Romulo Hernandez |
Successor: | Salvio Patrick Fortuno |
Term Start2: | June 30, 1998 |
Term End2: | June 30, 2004 |
1Blankname2: | Governor |
1Namedata2: | Luis Villafuerte |
Predecessor2: | Salvio Fortuno |
Successor2: | Salvio Fortuno |
Birth Name: | Imelda Arcilla Papin |
Birth Date: | 26 January 1956 |
Birth Place: | Presentacion, Camarines Sur, Philippines |
Nationality: | Filipino |
Party: | PFP (2021–present) |
Otherparty: | PDP–Laban (2018–2021) Liberal (2015–2018) Lakas–CMD (2012–2015) Bangon (2009–2012) NPC (1995) |
Residence: | Partido, Camarines Sur |
Alma Mater: | University of the East University of Hawaii (BS) |
Imelda Arcilla Papin (born January 26, 1956) is a Filipino singer and politician. Dubbed the "Sentimental Songstress," Papin sang songs such as "Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig." She was married to Filipino politician Jose Antonio Carrion.
Papin was born on January 26, 1956, in Presentacion, Camarines Sur. She started her career in a remote fishing village in the province. Aspiring to become a singer, she participated in several regional singing contests before moving to Manila to pursue her career further. She attended Bitaogan Elementary School, St. Brigette High School, the University of the East, and the University of Hawaii, where she received a BS in Commerce with a major in management.
Papin recorded her second album, Kutob (1978), which included the song "Bakit" that gained significant popularity on local radio stations. She continued her success with additional singles that reached the top of the charts.
Papin relocated to Las Vegas, where she successfully revived her career, becoming a regular performer and gaining celebrity status. She was the first Filipino artist to host a three-hour telethon on Channel 18 in Los Angeles, California. Currently, she hosts a television program on LA-18 called Imelda Papin in America. Additionally, she hosts a two-hour radio program called the Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart Radio Show on KLAV 1230 AM in Las Vegas.
In 1995, she ran for Governor of Camarines Sur, but lost to Luis Villafuerte. In 1998, she was elected as Vice Governor, a post she held for two terms. In 2004, she ran as congresswoman in the province's fourth congressional district but lost to incumbent Representative Felix Alfelor Jr. In 2010, she ran for the Senate under Bangon Pilipinas, but lost.[1]
In 2013, the Commission on Elections disqualified her from running as congresswoman in the lone district of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan due to lack of residency but reversed its decision on April 25.[2] She went on to lose the election to incumbent Representative Arthur Robes. In 2016, she ran again for congresswoman in Camarines Sur's fourth district but lost to incumbent Representative Arnulfo Fuentebella. In 2019, she made a political comeback when she ran for Vice Governor as running mate of Governor Migz Villafuerte against board member Russel Bañes under PDP–Laban and eventually won. In 2022, she ran for Governor of Camarines Sur for the second time, but lost to Luigi Villafuerte.
In 2024, Papin was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as an acting member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.[3]
Papin was married to former Marinduque Governor Jose Antonio Carrion, with whom he has a daughter, Maria France Imelda Papin Carrion. Maria France graduated as a Bachelor of Mass Communication at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and became a paralegal.