As the target of online trolls and bashers since she won as vice president in 2016, Vice President Leni Robredo revealed a formula she uses in dealing with personal attacks, critics, fake news, and misinformation during a guesting in Chef Myke Sarthou’s vlog.
“Ang dami ko na kasing kahirapan na pinagdaanan. Every time may panibagong hirap na pinagdadaanan, palagi kong iniisip kung mas mahirap ba ito sa pagkamatay ni Jess (I have been through so many hardships. Every time I go through something, I think about if it is harder than Jess’ death),” said Robredo, referring to the death of her husband, former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo, in 2012.
“Parati ang sagot hindi. Parati ko lang sinasabi, iyon nga nalampasan ko, so wala, sisiw na ito (The answer is always no. I always say, if I had gotten through that, this is just nothing),” she added.
However, Robredo admitted to Sarthou, more popularly known as Chef Tatung, that she gets triggered by attacks against her husband and daughters.
“Kung ako lang, wala akong pakialam dahil hindi naman totoo ang binabato nila sa akin, (If it’s just me, I don’t care because what they’re saying about me are untrue),” she said.
Chef Tatung told viewers that notwithstanding their political stance, they can learn many things from the strength and wisdom of the Vice President.
“There is some wisdom you can learn from her if you listen carefully,” said Chef Tatung, who discussed various issues with Robredo while cooking a dish inspired by his Bikolana grandmother, in his vlog entitled “Simpol Day with VP Leni.”
“I derive strength and courage from people sharing stories of their journey. One such person that fascinates me is this lady, VP Leni Robredo,” he added.
Her journey to politics did not start just when she run for congressman of the third district of Camarines Sur. She said she has been a public servant long before she joined politics.
The aspiring president did not deny that her husband’s death pushed her to become actively involved in government.
“The best way for me to honor him is to continue the work he left unfinished,” she said, adding that, “Kung buhay siya, marami pa siyang gustong gawin. Dahil namatay na siya, ako ang magpapatuloy (If he is still alive, he still wants to do many things. Because he died, I will just continue them).”
Robredo shared about her experience vlogging with Chef Tatung in a Facebook post.
“Been a fan of Chef Tatung and his cooking show on Youtube, Simpol. I have been following his recipes at home, so shooting this episode was a real treat for me. Try nyo guys yung recipe. Ang sarap (Try the recipe. It’s good)!!,” she wrote.
During the episode, Chef Tatung presented Robredo, who shared that she loves cooking for her family, with three books that he authored.