Nationhood by collective grief and prayer
It may seem a phenomenon particular to us, but it’s so true: Nothing brings us together as a nation like an occasion for collective grief.
It may seem a phenomenon particular to us, but it’s so true: Nothing brings us together as a nation like an occasion for collective grief.
Once in 2010, I had a one-on-one with Sec. Robredo when I bumped into him on a domestic flight. About a week later, I interviewed him on ANC. I observed that his demeanor was exactly the same. Whether it was en solo while waiting for a delayed flight or on national TV with the lights on his face—his manner was the same. He had no airs about him, which is, I think, where he gets his command. For someone in his high position, he always replied to text messages. If he couldn’t, he’d call to say he’d reply later. I often texted him during relief operations to ask for LGU contact numbers, and once I asked him to just give me a staff member’s name, but he said there was no need for that since it was okay to just text him straight.
Like countless other Filipinos, when we first heard of the plane crash, we prayed for the safe return of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and pilots Captain Jessup Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand.
In the days leading to the recovery of his remains, much has been said of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo—of how he is as a servant leader, politician and, more important, father to three lovely daughters—Jessica Marie, Janine Patricia and Jillian Therese.
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