VP Leni receives sentimental messages from daughters on 56th birthday

Leni Robredo (3rd from left) is joined by her daughters  – Jillian, Tricia and Aika after she took her oath as the Philippines’ 14th Vice President in 2016. Robredo marked her 56th birth anniversary on Friday.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday received touching, loving messages from her daughters as she marked her 56th birth anniversary.

“Working with you closely this past month has given me intense grade school flashbacks: me coming home with an 8 out of 10 even after thinking that I already studied hard for the test, and you saying that I could still do better if we adjust our game plan,” Tricia Robredo said in her social media post.

Tricia, a doctor, has been helping out the Office of the Vice President’s Swab Cab initiative and other programs tuned towards the COVID-19 surge.

“Found myself in a similar situation the other week when I felt we were already doing so much and you saying we could still do more. I thought it was already borderline ambitious but apparently this is what it’s like having you as a boss,” she added.

She also narrated that her mother’s old habits — waking up early and sleeping late, just like when she tended to her three daughters — are in full display as the Vice President tries to aid the government’s COVID-19 response.

“Magigising ng alas kwatro ng umaga para maghatid sa swim training at matutulog close to midnight para matapos ang reviewer for Araling Panlipunan. Two decades later, magigising ng alas syete in time for the first shift at matutulog ng alas dos ng umaga pagkahatid ng huling oxygen tank for dispatch,” Tricia noted.

“I am amused (and sometimes just a little annoyed haha) at how stubborn and persistent you could get. Pero nakakahanga at mas nakakaganang magtaya. Thank you for always reminding me how it should be done: with courage, with purpose and ultimately with love.  Happy birthday, Mama. Ready to go into any battle with you any day,” she added.

Robredo’s youngest child, Jillian, posted  short message on Instagram, coupled with an old clip of them while riding a train in New York City.

“You make my (& the rest of the) world a better place.  Happy happy birthday Mama — my roommate, econ tutor, essay proofreader, travel agent, bestfriend, and favorite person,” Jillian said.

Robredo has been a key figure in the COVID-19 response, mounting donation drives and organizing volunteers to provide key services for frontliners and areas amid the COVID-19 surge.

On Thursday, Robredo received an early present when she tested negative for COVID-19, after she went into self-quarantine as one of her close-in aides got infected.

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