By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo turned 53 on Monday, with a quiet birthday celebration at the Quezon City Reception House, where she holds office.
Vice President Leni Robredo (OVP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Robredo, a widowed mother, celebrated her birthday the way she had it last year – without fanfare or a lavish party.
The past week was hectic for the former housing chief who had several speaking engagements in various universities and business conferences in Metro Manila.
She also went to the Supreme Court for the filing of an urgent motion for reconsideration with regard to the initial recount of votes in the electoral protest she is facing.
But on Monday, the Vice President spent her day working and attending to paperwork at QCRH, her office said.
“No public events for VP Leni. She will be attending to paperwork and other concerns,” the Office of the Vice President said in an advisory it sent to media a day before her birthday.
Robredo’s daughters—Aika, Tricia, and Jillian — took to social media to greet their mother on her birthday.
In an Instagram post, Jillian shared the picture of the Vice President on the eve of her birthday holding a big balloon, with a greeting: “Happy birthday Mama,” and a bouquet of flowers.
Robredo’s second daughter Tricia, a medical school student, tweeted: “Still an hour to go but hbd to my mama @lenirobredo. I’d tell you to stay strong but you’re already the strongest woman I know. We love you.”
Also on Twitter, Aika said, “Happy happy birthday to the coolest tiger mom that I know! Please stop cleaning our unit when it’s close to your birthday so you don’t ruin our surprise for you. Love you and see you in less than one month.”
Aika, the eldest among the Robredo sisters, is in Boston, Massachusetts for her graduate studies in Harvard University.
The Vice President also received greetings and well-wishes on her birthday from senators belonging to the Liberal Party, which she chairs, close friends, staff members, and supporters.
“Kami’y laging nagpapasalamat sa iyong prinsipyo at inspirasyon. Maligayang Kaarawan Vice President @lenirobredo,” LP President and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.
Senator Bam Aquino also did not forget Robredo’s birthday as he extended his greeting to the Vice President.