Vice president (VP) Leni Robredo is an inspiration for many Filipinos. While she is seen as a social activist, she is best known for her kindness and compassion. Many have been praising her for her actions as the second highest officer in the Philippines, but prior to stepping into the position, she was first a mother, a wife, and a loving daughter.

Those are the things VP Leni aims to share through Adarna House’s latest picture book titled “Dancing Waters.” With the help of writer Yvette Fernandez and illustrator Abi Goy, readers will see how a humble woman from Naga City became the empowered woman she is today.

“This is very special because it is actually a story of how my Dad was my first teacher in kindness and compassion,” VP Leni posted on Facebook. “The title was derived from my story that when I was growing up in Naga, my favorite activity with my Dad was watching the dancing fountain in front of the old PNB Bldg. while eating peanuts bought from the nearby kiosks at the Plaza Rizal.”

“I also love the fact that, through this book, I was able to pay tribute to my Dad, who believed in me,” she continued. “He was the one who taught us selflessness, generosity, and the responsibility to take care of those who need help.”

Due to the pandemic, the process of making the book happened only through Zoom meetings. VP Leni has not but praises for the works of Yvette and Abi in capturing important events in her life.

“When Yvette Fernandez informed me a few months ago that she's doing a collab with Adarna and coming out with a children's book on me, I was floored,” she said. “The process was pretty much straightforward. I was interviewed via Zoom and was asked to send pictures from my childhood. Abi Goy, the illustrator, did a fantastic job of capturing everything as they were.”

Mirroring the VP’s philanthropic spirit, 50 percent of the sales of the book will be donated to the OVP’s Community Learning Hubs, which are located in Pasig City, Caloocan City, Taytay in Rizal, Himamaylan in Negros Occidental, Lucena City, and Tabaco City in Albay.

The Community Learning Hubs are part of BAYANIHAN e-SKWELA, the initiative that VP Leni and her office launched to support students, parents, and teachers amid the shift to distance/blended learning by giving them free access to computers, gadgets, equipment, and the internet, as well as tutors.

“Dancing Waters” was launched last April 23, 2021, VP Leni’s birthday. Order a copy online at http://bit.ly/AHDancingWaters.