Aika and Dr. Tricia Robredo inspire in recent interview with Boy Abunda
As the International Women’s Month comes to a close in a few days, I find it fitting to write about two inspiring women who caught the netizens’ attention last week when they represented their mom, Vice President Leni Robredo, in an interview with the King of Talk, Boy Abunda.
Abunda featured VP Leni’s first and second daughters Aika and Dr. Tricia Robredo in his Youtube channel series, The Interviews Of The Wives And Children Of The 2022 Presidential Candidates. Jillian, the youngest of the three siblings, was not part of the interview as she is currently in the United States, awaiting her graduation from New York University this May.
In the series, Abunda spent time presenting the presidential candidates through the eyes of their wives and children. Aika and Tricia impressed the netizens with their display of eloquence and being well-grounded.
In particular, the sisters, raised by public servants, reminded me of three seemingly simple yet significant life lessons.
Authenticity in the midst of public scrutiny
In this age of social media and filters, being genuine and authentic is valuable. When asked about their level of comfort when it comes to being watched all the time, Aika was quick to say in the vernacular, “I guess we don’t really think about it.” Tricia also immediately responded, “We just go on with our lives.” The elder Robredo further explained, “I think, the consistency of your actions, whether you’re being watched or not, is important for us. So, it doesn’t seem to matter if there is an audience.”
Achieving success through own hard work
As Abunda pointed out that public scrutiny is inevitable in the life the sisters have been subjected to, Aika and Tricia shared their thoughts on how they deal with expectations and own their individual successes.
Tricia admitted that they think about the matter from time to time and try to manage the expectations. “I don’t introduce myself as Dr. Tricia Robredo at the hospital. I go by Dr. Tricia. So, whatever they say about my work, it’s because that’s the kind of work I put out and not because of my name.” She emphasized, “We have our own identities, our own lives.”
Aika, who is now involved with a non-government organization as an Executive Director, was asked by Abunda if people she works with and have worked with, knew about her parents from the beginning.
“I am always careful with conflict of interest,” she said. Aika went on to explain that while she is okay with others bringing up her familial affiliation, she is not one to volunteer the information. “If it interferes with the work I have to do, I am very careful about it,” she noted.
It comes as no surprise that Aika and Tricia put a premium on hard work. The two have shown academic excellence in Ateneo de Manila University with their undergraduate courses BS Management Engineering (Aika) and BS Health Sciences (Tricia). Aika later obtained her Master in Public Administration degree from Harvard Kennedy School as an Edward S. Mason Fellow while Tricia got her MD-MBA degree from Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. The younger Robredo passed the physician’s licensure examination in 2020.
Power of radical love
As of this writing, the Robredo sisters are actively taking part in their mother’s campaign. They described their journey for the past six years, with the spread of disinformation, as far from being easy. It shows, however, that choosing their battles and refueling themselves with a specific kind of love powered them through.
“At the end of the day, you have a bigger goal in mind,” Tricia said, after sharing how they consciously dismiss unfair and harsh criticisms. “Whether they are supporters or bashers, we no longer have space for more hatred,” she added and explained how non-supporters cannot be won over by name-calling or asserting moral superiority.
Tricia suggested the idea of being more open to different people and gentler ways. “Just like Mama, always be open.
She would always say, ‘radical love.’ No matter how difficult it is to be kind and patient, still, choose kindness. Choose amore loving option,” she ended.
The full interview is available on Youtube via The Boy Abunda Talk Channel.
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