Keeping them honest

Ordinary Filipinos lined the street fronting the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City. They were there, joining Philippine officialdom, including President Aquino, his entire Cabinet, and national and city officials, in honoring the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. It was clear that in death, as in life, Robredo did not belong to his wife Leni, their three daughters, his parents and siblings alone. He belonged to the people he served—the entire nation in the last post he held—but he found his true home, his “happy place,” in the hearts of the people of Naga.

And so it was that Nagueños, who in over a decade of Robredo’s service as city mayor had gotten used to seeing him walking or biking the streets of the city in shorts, T-shirt and rubber sandals, bid one of their own farewell. And it could be said that Mayor Jesse, who in life professed discomfort over pomp and pageantry of any sort, especially directed at him, must have found the people’s presence at his funeral procession the most meaningful, the most heartfelt and sincere expression of public grief at his passing. Indeed, the nation has lost a good man.

But I would like to add, as well, a tribute to his wife Leni and their three daughters. They bore the rituals of grief and the unwavering attention of the media and public in the last few days with admirable equanimity. They did their husband and father proud, giving testament to the quality of their relationship and of their upbringing with their quiet dignity and graciousness.

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A special word about Leni. In the days immediately following the news of Robredo’s death, reports surfaced of how “unusual” was the life he led, choosing to remain in a humble dwelling in the family compound in Naga, and eschewing the trappings of power. When he had to fly out of Naga or be fetched from a flight, his “chauffeur” was more often than not Leni, who ferried him to and from the airport in her own personal vehicle.

Familiar as we have become with tales of public officials who feel they would be losing face if they moved around with less than a battalion of security, aides and hangers-on, Robredo’s life of simplicity and humility was indeed inspiring.

But I can’t help but reflect on the role Leni played in preserving this way of life. A public official can lead an almost-Spartan way of life if he or she chooses to. But that resolve can crumble in the face of a spouse’s misgivings or aspirations, or even just constant complaints of feeling shortchanged by the spouse’s other priorities.

By Leni’s own telling, she and her girls never had occasion to feel they were losing out on Jesse’s time or attention. He gave them all the time he could spare, and went out of his way to show them they were important, even if it was for such minor things as scoring tickets to a basketball game or taking care of minor household chores. And Leni by her telling was completely happy with this arrangement, even if it meant forsaking designer duds or regular appearances on the “lifestyle” circuit.

There are lessons to underscore here. A man or a woman in public service needs more than just personal resolve to stay honest and maintain a reputation for integrity. He or she must be supported as well in this aspiration by a spouse or significant other, who believes in and is committed to the same standards of honesty and service, and by friends and family who understand and will not make any unnecessary demands or improper requests.

In this Leni, her daughters and the Robredo family truly deserve a share of the recognition conferred by the Legion of Honor awarded to Jesse. They helped make and keep him the honest and dedicated public servant he was in life, and remembered in death.

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“Bones and Beauty” was how the discussion on bone health was billed at yesterday’s “Bulong Pulungan at Sofitel.” When I complained that most of the discussions centered on “bones,” on osteoporosis and how to prevent its advent, and very little on “beauty,” the technician who administered my bone density test assured me: “But Ma’am, if you have healthy bones, then you’re beautiful.”

Okay, I can appreciate spin when I hear it. But hearing about the link between calcium intake and bone health came as a timely reminder to the women “of a certain age,” such as this columnist, gathered at the “Bulong.”

As we learned from Dr. Jericho “Ricky” Luna, an Ob-gynecologist connected with the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, healthy bones begin with childhood—by regular milk intake and exercise—but as a woman grows older, she may need an extra boost, especially in the postmenopausal years when estrogen becomes scarce, to protect her bones from fractures.

One of every three women may be afflicted with osteoporosis later in life, say studies. And osteoporosis, according to the World Health Organization, could lead to stooping and loss of height, as well as weak and brittle bones. While a woman should start taking calcium as early as possible, says Dr. Luna, calcium intake becomes less effective or worthwhile when a woman reaches her 70s. And so, facing this narrow “window of opportunity” to fortify our bones against osteoporosis, women should start on calcium supplements, such as “Caltrate Plus” as soon as possible.

I had my own “wake-up call” right after the forum, when a bone density test revealed that I am already suffering from “osteopenia,” or a weakening of my bones which could lead to osteoporosis. Guess I’ll have to start worrying about my bones now—if I want to remain a beauty, that is.