The simplicity of Milka Romero, nominated for 1 Pacman, is reflected in old sneakers

Milka Romero (Ellson Quismorio/MANILA BULLETIN)

She may be the daughter of a billionaire, but Milka Romero — an aspiring congresswoman under the 1-Pacman Party roster — is a sneaker kind of person.

In an exclusive interview at the Manila Bulletin office on Thursday, October 10, the Miro Group CEO appeared in a simple pair of jeans and her Adidas Stan Smith knockers. The green heel detail of the shoes matched her green 1-Pacman Party list shirt.

In the clothing world, Stan Smiths are every man’s shoe: simple, efficient and timeless. No fuss and no frills.

Milka says she is exactly the same way. “That’s a good metaphor.”

“Absolutely (that’s how I deal with things). It’s old-fashioned, but modern at the same time. So again, I look up to my parents for their advice… it’s definitely showing respect to the people before us and working with the people that we have now,” she said candidly.

Milka’s father is Mikee Romero, representative of the 1-Pacman Party, while her mother is Shiela Bermudez Romero. The couple is well-known and respected in the business world and politics, but their 31-year-old daughter, who is behind the food and beverage company Miro, is making her own mark.

Milka Romero shows off her simple kicks. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Very exciting time

Milka’s bid for party-list representation comes amid a youth movement in the House of Representatives in which millennials like her are being given bigger shoes to fill and the platform to speak on national issues.

This is evident with the rise of the ‘Young Guns’ bloc in the current 19th Congress led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez. Should 1-Pacman win a seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2025 elections, Milka, the group’s first nominee, could well be a similar trailblazer in the 20th Congress.

Milka, a managerial economics graduate from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), said she appreciated the government’s efforts to bring this attention to the youth.

“I think (the past) is something we should respect, because our past also determines how we should move forward in the future. But in today’s day and age, the majority of our leaders are actually young millennials or even Gen Z, they have a voice,” she said.

“It is a very exciting time for us women and younger leaders in the Philippines,” said the entrepreneur behind Sushi Nori.

Supporter of sports development

Milka said her three main advocates are the development of Philippine sports, protecting the rights of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and continuing the fight against online child sexual exploitation (OSEC).

“I am a supporter of health, well-being and sports. That is my main plea. 1-Pacman, of course we have been sitting with Cong Mikee Romero for the last three terms and I would like to continue to explain and apply the various issues that of me too,” she said.

Representative Romero currently chairs the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation. He is also a former Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives.

When asked which committee in the House of Representatives she would most like to chair if she had the chance, Milka – an athlete like her father – responded with what is closest to her heart.

“Of course I would really like to go one step further in sports. My father, who has practiced various disciplines, always started with sports. And for me, I think I can contribute the most in this department and learn from it.”

Milka believes that sports have the power to lift Filipinos out of poverty.

“It’s a great equalizer. It’s not just a recreational exercise, but it’s a way of life for a lot of people, to get away from poverty and away from drugs. It’s definitely something I’d like to stick to if representative of 1-Pacman,” she says. said.