Hipódromo Chile. I lived in Rancagua, where I never went to a horse race because my family was not fond of it. But a few years ago I discovered the world of the racetrack. It is very beautiful. As mayor, I attended one of the most important races held there: the classic St. Leger. I experienced the two-horse race as if it were my own, because you get caught up in that atmosphere. It is nice to participate in a dynamic so characteristic of this commune and Chile. (Avenida Hipódromo Chile 1715, comuna de Independencia).
Plaza Chacabuco. There I gave my first major speech, at the launch of my campaign as mayor. Later, already as mayor, we held an event in this square, which I consider one of the nicest: installing the Christmas tree for the first time in the commune, in 2025. Anyone might say: “Well, but that is not the most important thing a mayor should do.” Maybe, but it brought families together around a tree on such an important date. Independencia is a very beautiful commune full of opportunities. I remember that, during the social outbreak in 2019, with a group of university friends, we decided to do politics seriously, in a commune that needed good politicians because it is true that inequality in Chile is a brutal phenomenon, where you can see parts of the city so close yet with so many differences regarding access to services. I was elected in 2024, (at 29 years old). When you are such a young mayor, you mature in dog years, where one year is seven. I believe the process of personal maturation is faster because professionally it is difficult, challenging, and you are in charge of many people at such an early age. However, it is a great opportunity. I have no children, but I do have energy, dreams, so I bring that youth to provide the best possible care to the people who trust me. (Near Metro Plaza Chacabuco).
Old Hygiene Institute. It is an important place because, although it is located in the city center and on the edge of Santiago, it is a heritage building that was relevant for the health of Chileans, but it was also used for torture (known as Cuartel Borgoño). I am a right-wing politician, but I have a family history where my grandfather, who was left-wing (a supporter of the Unidad Popular), was imprisoned during the dictatorship. Therefore, I recognize the importance of human rights, of how brutal the dictatorship was. It is important to recover a space like this for Independencia, ensuring it remains a place of memory for the city and the country. (Avenida Independencia 56, corner with General Borgoño).
Street Shelter. It is relatively new, the first in Independencia and the largest in the Metropolitan Region. It is a decision as mayor to attend from the municipality to people living on the street, because not all mayors want to have shelters in their communes because it is a responsibility and there are risks. But the situation of homeless people in Chile is worrying, and they must be given a chance because everyone deserves respect, affection, and dignity. There I have heard beautiful stories, reflected on my role and what I can improve. I have learned more than the users there at the shelter. (Borgoño 1124).
Armando Quezada Acharan 1809. It is the house where I lived for four years before becoming mayor, and this political project was formed. It has a lot of symbolism because I lived there during the pandemic and discussed with friends about our political project at a time of great political agitation in Chile. If we wanted to do something for Independencia, we had to be there. Great guests came by to talk and think about the Independencia project: presidential candidates, former ministers, right-wing and left-wing politicians.
Neighborhood of the Fabrics. It is historic, old, and beautiful with 19th-century heritage architecture. It has beautiful churches and commercial premises where fabrics are sold. It is the small capital of Independencia. I have walked around there, I know its entrepreneurs. We want to recover it and today we are working on that through a project together with Harvard University and Bloomberg. (Located at the entrance of Independencia, from Mapocho to the north).
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Church of the Miraculous Medal. It was a convent of nuns. Today it is an oasis of the commune, with beautiful, well-kept green areas where I also went to pray and find peace. I have a history associated with faith, my family is Catholic and so am I. I am very close to the Jesuits. That has been an important part of my political career and my social vocation. The church is a place of encounter with the divine. Also, there I had a mystical experience in a healing mass, because something happened that I did not believe would happen since I am more skeptical in that regard. There are people who fall during the laying on of hands; I did not believe that happened. But it happened to me too: I fell during the laying on of hands. (Calle Venecia 1642).
Cozy little corner. It is a good restaurant where you can eat everything: shredded beef, lomo a lo pobre, empanadas de pino. That is, Chilean food. I have gone many times and it always gives a feeling of being at home. It is historic and, as its name says: very cozy. (Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 1162).
Plaza San Luis. It is ordinary, but a place where I have done many activities and had the closing of my candidacy. It is frequented by many children from the area and at Christmas many families gather there. That seems important to me because people sometimes have little access to culture. But culture fills the spirit, and cities where people are happy and families are together are good for the country. Families are important. I, for example, today live with my girlfriend, we are building a beautiful project with prospects of getting married. One of the things that enamored us was that belief that family life is important.
Calle Francia. It is the architectural and most beautiful face of Independencia, with houses that look like they came from a European neighborhood. For me, it means the direction I want to take the commune because it deserves to be a green place, with colors. In those simple things is the joy of the people.
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