Mel Mathay

Ismael "Mel" Austria Mathay Jr. (June 26, 1932 – December 25, 2013) was a Filipino lawyer and politician 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, and Josefina Mathay.

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. 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. Actress Ara Mina and San Juan City councilors Cris and Ismael "Macky" Mathay IV are his grandchildren through his son Ismael "Chuck" Mathay III.

Mathay died of a heart attack at the age of 81 on December 25, 2013, at The Medical City Ortigas in Pasig. His remains were cremated on December 28 and later inurned at Christ the King Parish - Greenmeadows in Quezon City.

He was portrayed by Marlon Mance and Billy Jake Cortez as the young Mel Mathay in the 2023 film Martyr or Murderer.