VP Leni: Jesse preferred simple, quiet birthday celebrations

Vice President Leni Robredo stands surrounded by memorabilia of her late husband Jesse Robredo at the museum dedicated for him in Naga City. The city celebrated the late former mayor and Secretary of Interior and Local Government’s 60th birth anniversary Sunday. Photo by Rey Anthony Ostria, Inquirer Southern Luzon

NAGA CITY—Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said that her husband, the late former Department of the Local and Interior Government and mayor of this city, preferred simple and quiet birthday celebrations.

Robredo was here to grace the unveiling of “Para Kay Jesse” exhibit and installation art at the Museo ni Jesse Robredo for his 60th birthday anniversary.

Museo ni Jesse Robredo curator, Jonel Rabusa, said that they collected 60 slippers from donors for the art installation outside the museum. Inside the museum’s changing gallery, 60 portraits of Jesse, including childhood photos, were pasted on the wall. The photos are joined by memorabilia that the Robredo family had collected as gifts when Jesse was invited in various events.

“In our family, we are not fond of parties. When he was in the city hall, the employees usually surprised him. That was the same when he was in DILG,” Robredo said.

The Robredo family preferred a quiet family dinner over grand celebrations with many visitors, she said.

The vice president also said that their daughter Aika’s graduation and Tricia finishing her preclinical studies are both her and Jesse’s dreams.

Robredo’s youngest daughter, Jillian, will also graduate from senior high this year. /je