Ms. Grace Padaca has been the governor of the northern province of Isabela, Philippines since 2004. Among Filipino politicians, she is among the minority not from politically-connected families. Her success has largely been attributed to her support from the Catholic Church and her fame as a radio commentator on radio station Bombo Radyo in Cauayan. During her childhood, she suffered from polio, which has forced her to walk with crutches for most of her life. On December 5, 2007, Gov. Padaca was conferred the prestigious International Woman of Courage Award by US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, joining the ranks of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. The award was bestowed on Gov. Padaca for her continued development of Isabela following a colorful stint as a broadcast journalist.

Gov. Padaca was the Valedictorian in both elementary and high school at the Our Lady of the Pillar Institution, as well as a Magna Cum Laude graduate in college.