BY ROY MABASA
Cynthia Alcantara Barker, the first Filipina to serve as councilor and mayor of Hertfordshire, England has passed away, a member of her family announced on Tuesday. She was 58 years old.
“It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of The Worshipful Hertsmere Mayor Councilor Cynthia Barker following a bout of serious illness,” Gene Alcantara, brother of Barker, said in a Facebook post.
The Philippine-born Barker was the first Filipina to win in England’s local politics and served for four years, from May 2015 to May 2019, as a town councilor for Elstree and Borehamwood and borough councilor for Potters Bar.
In May 2019, Barker ran and was re-elected to Hertsmere to represent the Borehamwood Kenilworth ward under the Conservative Party.
In her most recent interview with a local network, Barker cited the importance of her Filipino roots and heritage as one of her main sources of strength.
In announcing her death, the family of Barker said they will be issuing further information “in due course” on the death of the Filipina mayor even as they asked for privacy “at this difficult time.”
“Your prayers for the repose of her soul would however be welcome,” Alcantara added in his post.
She is survived by her daughter and four grandchildren. (Roy Mabasa)
