The province of Pampanga mourns the passing of Clayton A. Olalia, who served as vice governor from 1998 to 2001 and built a storied career in public service and beyond. Olalia passed away on September 5, 2025. His remains will lie in state at the Sanctuario of San Fernando.
Olalia began his political journey at a young age—by 15, he chaired the Kabataang Barangay of Barangay Sta. Lucia in San Fernando, later becoming president of the KB federation and earning a seat on the town council. He went on to become one of the youngest members of Pampanga’s provincial board, serving through the 1970s until 1998, with only a few interruptions.
In 1998, running alongside then-Governor Lito Lapid, Olalia won the vice gubernatorial seat, defeating Yeng Guiao. However, in a political turn of events, he stepped aside for Mikey Arroyo to run for his position in 2001, at the request of then-Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Following his terms in local government, Olalia was appointed Deputy Director of the Manila Economic Cooperation Office (MECO) in Taipei. He later served as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Agriculture under Secretary Domingo Panganiban, before becoming a trusted aide to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who assigned him to international missions and press relations.
Beyond politics, Olalia pursued ventures in farming, high-end car imports, and even acting. He appeared in several films, often as a sidekick to Lito Lapid, including Geron Olivar with Kris Aquino.
Clayton Olalia’s life was marked by youthful leadership, political alliances, international service, entrepreneurship, and even showbiz—leaving behind a legacy that shaped Pampanga’s political and cultural landscape.