2016
Risa was like a breath of fresh air when I first met her. Palaging nakangiti, palaging mataas ang energy, pero ramdam mo na hindi niya pinepeke. She had such a soft voice and a genuine smile that it was something I actually anticipated to see after being surrounded by people who pretend to be kind just for show.
We had a lot of things in common. Both widowed and left to raise young children, both women in a male-dominated profession, and we were both in need of a constant supporter who would anchor us the same way Jesse did for me and Frank did for her. We bonded over a lot of things, talked about our visions and platforms, our children, our plans for ourselves, and many others.
In a sea of people dressed in yellow, Risa always stood out the most to me because she encapsulates the color itself — bright, optimistic, and comforting. Like yellow, Risa symbolized bliss.
"Hi, Leni!" She greeted as I entered the tent behind the stage, a few hours before we started the campaign rally. Lumapit siya para bumeso sa akin and immediately asked how I was doing.
Talking to her calmed my nerves down. I felt less nervous, more composed, and more sure of myself. Mas handa akong haharap sa tao mamaya because I know she's got my back.
We went on stage and before I took the microphone for my speech, I heard her say, "Go, Leni! I'm rooting for you!"
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We landed in Hong Kong and I closed my eyes, reveling the air. It felt sort of good to leave the Philippines especially at the height of the campaign period. Parang wala masyadong pressure sa'kin dito. Walang mga matang mapagmasid at mapanghusga.
Risa appeared beside me, linking our arms together, "Roomates kami ni Leni ha!"
Nakarating na kami sa hotel room and she immediately sprawled to one of the twin sized beds. "Pwede bang matulog na lang? Napagod ako mare."
"Ako rin. Ayoko pa umalis dito, pahinga muna tayo."
I laid down on the other bed and we started chatting about our journey to Hong Kong.
Our friendship grew deeper and stronger during the few days that we spent there. We minded our business, kept our stories to ourselves, and laughed at the men's constant bickering and arguing.
After campaign rallies and dinners with the team, we'd crash at our beds and stuff our faces with sweets, exchanging anecdotes, life lessons, and even shared our opinions and takes on controversial issues. We got to know each other better in Hong Kong and that's when I knew my friendship with her would last a lifetime.
2019
After our win, Risa and I often exchanged messages. We'd greet each other during birthdays, talk about our achievements, share a laugh about the lives we live on a daily basis. I don't see her frequently. In fact, we only see each other in meetings and budget hearings. But still, our friendship remained the same.
I was in UP Town Center today to take care of an errand when I bumped into her.
"Uy, Risa!"
"Omg, Leni, andito ka rin! How are you?"
"Okay lang, as usual busy. Ikaw?"
"Same lang, always naman tayong busy. Walang bago." She laughed.
"Totoo. Are you with someone right now?"
"Ay not yet. I'm waiting for Issa, susunduin raw niya ako dito."
"Oh, okay. Samahan na kita ditong maghintay sa kanya para naman makapagkwentuhan rin tayo. Tagal na nating 'di nagkikita."
"Oo nga eh, we need to have a girls' night out sometimes. Namiss ko ang chikahan natin."
We laughed, reminiscing our campaign days in 2016. When she received a text from Issa saying na malapit na raw siya, Risa asked kung pwede kami magpicture. I said yes and we took two.
"Hi, Mama. Hi, Tita Leni, long time no see po." Issa waved as she arrived
"Hi, Issa, oo nga eh. Ingat kayo ng mama mo ha. Bond tayo soon, hopefully!" I waved back then faced Risa. Nagbeso kami and bid our good byes.
I was walking towards one of the stores inside UPTC when I received a notification on my phone. Risa tagged me in a tweet with our recent picture attached.
Bumped into VP @lenirobredo this late morning in UP Town Ctr. 2 women bloodied but unbowed. 💜💜✊
I liked her tweet and sent her a DM, thanking her and promising to meet with her soon. I turned off my phone and continued doing what I was doing earlier, now with a smile on my face I can't seem to conceal.
2021
Ding!
I looked up from the paperwork I was doing to check my phone. It was a text from Risa.
"Good morning, Leni! :) Are you free today?"
Tinignan ko 'yung schedule ko for the day and replied, "Around dinner pa. Still have work and meetings until 5 :("
"Aw, that's tiring. You want to go out for dinner mga 6 pm tonight?"
"Yeah, sure! See you later, Ris."
She texted the details of the restaurant and said na doon na lang kami magkita since it was close to the OVP naman. Ano kayang meron at naisip magdinner nito? Siguro it's urgent kasi otherwise, we would have met on a weekend para mahaba-haba ang oras namin and we can relax.
I finished my paperwork as quickly as I could para saktong 5 tapos na ako. Ayokong ma-late, nakakahiya kay Risa. Kailangan ko pa mag-ayos at mag-freshen up kasi na-haggard ako sa work.
Nakarating ako 10 minutes before 6 pm and I saw Risa sitting down at one of the tables. Ang aga niya infairness. I approached her and kissed her cheek with mine.
Nag-order kami kaagad ng food and after exchanging a few stories, I asked her kung bakit bigla siyang nagyaya. She said she had a question to ask me kaya sabi ko itanong niya na. She said, "Will you be running for president?"
"I honestly don't know." I replied, putting my head down. Sobrang bothered ako tuwing maiisip ko 'to. I know my girls didn't want me to do it at sa totoo lang gusto ko na magpahinga. Masyado akong nabugbog sa loob ng mga taong nanunungkulan ako as VP and alam ko na it will worsen if I decide to run.
"You know that if they don't agree to a unification then you have to file for candidacy, right?"
She's right. If I wanted to help the country, it's either a united opposition or ako lang. With the black propaganda na matagal nang ginagawang makinarya ng kabila against me, I didn't even know if I stood a chance.
Risa placed her hand on top of mine that was placed on the table. "Whatever you choose to do, run or not, you don't have to worry na mag-isa ka. You don't have to fear that you're alone."
Her words became my driving force. I like to think na 'yung sinabi niyang 'yun made accepting the other candidates' rejection to a united opposition easier. Kung mag-isa ako, okay lang. Kasi gaya ng sabi ni Risa, hindi naman ako mag-isa talaga.
"Go, Leni. I'm rooting for you."
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The first person I called after I was told to create a senate slate was Risa. Walang kaduda-duda that I wanted her on my team and by my side. If she ran for VP she would've been my running mate but hindi ayun ang gusto niya. Malinaw sa'kin na kung lalaban ako, kasama siya.
I called her later that night to ask for her approval. "I need allies in the Senate. I need people who will support me there. Kailangan kong nando'n ka."
"You didn't need to ask. I would've been there for you anyways, Leni." She assured.
We had a meeting the following day. She wore pink — the same color we were going to use for the campaign and I smiled. Risa may have been wearing pink now, but in my eyes, she's still the same embodiment of yellow that she always was.
In a room with people of different political colors, Risa was still yellow. Liberal party allegiance aside, looking over at her made me feel brighter, optimistic, more comfortable. She grounded me, serving as a reminder of the humble beginning of my campaign in 2016.
Risa was familiar bliss.
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Welcome back to the lipstick stains universe! <3 Syempre context muna kung pa'no ba nafall si Malens HAHAHAHA. Flashback muna para mas dama ang level of friendship at kalandian nila 😌
#LenRisaLayag 💗💜