| Mel Mathay | |
| Order: | 8th |
| Office: | Mayor of Quezon City |
| Term Start: | June 30, 1992 |
| Term End: | June 30, 2001 |
| Predecessor: | Brigido R. Simon Jr. |
| Successor: | Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. |
| Office2: | Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Authority |
| Term Start2: | June 30, 1992 |
| Term End2: | June 30, 1994 |
| President2: | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Predecessor2: | Ignacio Bunye |
| Successor2: | Prospero Oreta |
| Office3: | Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon City's 4th congressional district |
| Term Start3: | June 30, 1987 |
| Term End3: | June 30, 1992 |
| Predecessor3: | Position created |
| Successor3: | Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. |
| Office4: | Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Quezon City |
| Term Start4: | June 30, 1984 |
| Term End4: | March 25, 1986 |
| Alongside4: | Orlando S. Mercado, Cecilia Muñoz-Palma and Alberto Romulo |
| Office5: | Vice Governor of the Metro Manila Commission |
| Governor5: | Imelda Marcos |
| Term Start5: | 1979 |
| Term End5: | 1986 |
| Office6: | Vice Mayor of Quezon City |
| 1Namedata6: | Norberto S. Amoranto |
| Term Start6: | January 1, 1968 |
| Term End6: | December 30, 1971 |
| Predecessor6: | Mariano Sta. Romana |
| Successor6: | Carlos Albert |
| Birth Name: | Ismael Austria Mathay Jr. |
| Birth Date: | 1932 6, mf=y |
| Birth Place: | Manila, Philippine Islands |
| Death Place: | Pasig, Philippines |
| Party: | Independent (1992–2004, 2005–13) |
| Otherparty: | KBL (1984–92) KNP (2004) |
| Children: | 4 |
| Alma Mater: | University of the Philippines Diliman (BS) San Beda College (LL.B) |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Profession: | Lawyer |
Ismael Austria Mathay Jr. (June 26, 1932 – December 25, 2013),[1] also known as Mel Mathay, was a Filipino politician and lawyer who last served as the Mayor of Quezon City from 1992 to 2001. Previously, he had also served as vice mayor of Quezon City from 1968 to 1971, secretary to the commissioner of the General Authority Office from 1972 to 1981, vice governor of the Metro Manila Commission from 1979 to 1986, an assemblyman representing Quezon City in the Regular Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986, representative for the city's 4th district from 1987 to 1992, director of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from 1979 to 1987, and chairman of the Metro Manila Authority (now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) from 1993 to 1994.
Ismael Austria Mathay, Jr. was born in Manila on June 26, 1932, to Ismael Mathay Sr., who would later serve as a Cabinet member under President Sergio Osmeña,[2] and Josefina Mathay.[3] [4]
Mathay graduated in 1953 with bachelor's degree in Business Administration Major in Economics in the University of the Philippines, where he joined the prestigious Upsilon Sigma Phi. Soon after graduation, he enrolled at the College of Law in San Beda College and successfully passed the bar examination in 1957.
Mathay was elected Vice Mayor of Quezon City in 1967, serving from 1968 to 1971. In 1972, he was appointed secretary to the commissioner of the watchdog General Authority Office, a genuine recognition for his talent and integrity. Mathay had completed tenure of 9 years.
Prior to his becoming city mayor, he served as the vice-governor of the Metro Manila Commission from 1979 to 1986, an assemblyman representing Quezon City in the Regular Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986, and congressman representing Quezon City's 4th district from 1987 to 1992.[5] [6] He was director of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from 1979 to 1987, and chairman of the Metro Manila Authority from 1993 to 1994. He tried to reclaim the mayoral position in 2004 and 2010 but lost to Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Herbert Bautista, respectively.
Mathay married his long-time partner Vilma Valera early in 2013, one year after the death of his first wife Sonya Gandionco.
Mathay died of a heart attack at the age of 81 on December 25, 2013, at The Medical City Ortigas, Pasig.[7] [8] [9]
He was portrayed by Marlon Mance and Billy Jake Cortez as the young Mel Mathay in the 2023 film Martyr or Murderer.