Several untested but promising solons will enter the House of Representatives in the upcomimg 20th Congress, carrying high expectations based on their respective surnames. 

But it's also because of their surnames that they will bring with them a significant amount of goodwill among their House colleagues.

Four such congressmen-elect are Andrew Julian Romualdez, 25, of Tingog Party-list; Francis "Kiko" Barzaga, 26, of Dasmariñas City's lone district; Ryan Christian Recto, 29, of Batangas' 6th district; and Brian Poe Llamanzares, 33, of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list.

A lot of eyes will be on Andrew Julian, and understandably so. He is the eldest son of House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez.

Andrew Julian graduated with a degree in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University in New York in the United States (US) in 2022. Before this, he attended school at Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland.

At just 21 years old, the Romualdez scion was nominated director of Marcventures Holdings, the family’s nickel mining company. Weeks later, he was named as a director of Bright Kindle Resources & Investments (BKR), another firm controlled by his family.

Before holding these positions, Andrew Julian interned at Lucciole Farm Hand, where he had a managerial role. The clout of his father--Speaker Romualdez, the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)--will certainly give the incoming Tingog Party-list representative the a good launchpad for his budding political career.

Another incoming gen Z solon is Francis, the son of his predecessor, the late congressman Elpidio Barzaga Jr. His mother is Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga.

Francis might be the most eccentric of the neophyte lawmakers, and he's aware of it; one quick look at his social media and you will see his over-the-top fondness for cats. He refers to himself as "posacat" and uses the hashtag #congmeow .

But eccentricity does not equate to a lack of sincerity, as Francis is very straightforward with his advocacy on looking after the collective welfare of stray cats and dogs.

"Stray animal population control programs must begin with the local governments, I will revise the local government code to include spay/neutering projects in the list of powers and responsibilities of city and provincial veterinary offices," he said in a recent Facebook post.

He would undoubtedly receive mentorship from fellow solons who were touched by the kindness of his late father, Rep. Barzaga, who during his time was among the most respected and beloved members of the House.

Also entering the lower chamber as a congressman in July is Ryan Christian, son of Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto and Batangas governor-elect Vilma Santos.

Ryan Christian has a degree in Business Management at Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). Although he is a newbie in the political world, this incoming Batangas congressman practically grew up in a household ran by politicians with proven staying power in the province. 

Governor Recto is a former House deputy speaker in then 18th Congress; while DOF Secretary Recto is both a former senator and deputy speaker, having held the latter post in the early days of the 19th Congress.

Ryan Christian has been relatively low profile in a family of astute politicians and showbiz icons, but he will finally have his chance to shine as a lawmaker in the 19th Congress. 

Brian--the only son of Senator Grace Poe and Neil Llamanzares--will also be part of this promising new blood of the 20th Congress.

His grandfather is "Da King" of Philippine movies, the late National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ. Building on this name recall, Brian says his party-list stands for "food, progress, justice"--thus giving a sense of the group's crucial, down-to-earth priorities.

Brian earned a political science degree from ADMU in 2013. From then on, he attended executive courses abroad, particularly at University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Harvard Kennedy School, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2018, he earned his Master of Arts degree in climate and society from Columbia University in New York.

Showing his dedication to honing himself, Senator Poe's son completed his Doctor of Public Administration degree at the University of Perpetual Help in 2022. Two years later, Brian received a Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) degree from the National Defense College.