Two members of pop band Ben&Ben have admired Vice President Leni Robredo’s calmness amid the challenges and her heart to serve the Filipino people.
While in Bicol with their family for the Holy Week, Paolo Benjamin Guico and Miguel Benjamin Guico, the twin lead vocalists and acoustic guitarists of the pop band, visited the presidential candidate in her home in Naga City.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Paolo said he discovered more about Robredo as a person and a mother. He also understood her plans for the country and her heart to serve the Filipino people.
"Narealize ko, baka simple lang. Pag totoo ka sigurong tao, at marangal yung pinaglalaban mo, kahit pa anong bigat ng dadalhin mo, payapa ka. Kalmado ka. Kahit pa tatakbo ka nang Presidente ng Pilipinas (I realized that it's simple. If you're truthful and fighting for something noble, no matter how heavy the load is, you're at peace. You're calm even if you're running for president of the Philippines),” Paolo said.
“Maliban dun, baka kalmado si VP Leni kasi kahanga-hanga yung tibay niya. Alam niya yung bigat ng kailangan niyang harapin, pero subok na siya ng panahon para harapin ito (Aside from that, maybe the Vice President is calm because her strength is admirable. She knows how serious her journey is but time has already tested her)," he added.
The band members also personally witnessed the simple life of the Vice President and her daughters.
"Wala yung bahay nila sa gated subdivision. Walang hanay hanay na security. Parang bumisita lang kami sa tropa namin (Their house is not inside a gated subdivision. No strict security. It was just like visiting a friend)," Paolo said.
"Yung itsura ng bahay nila, simple lang pero maganda. Tama lang yung laki. 'Di marangya, di rin maliit. Tama lang. Pero matagal din daw nilang ipinundar, at pinag-ipunan. Parang tayo lang (Their house was simple yet beautiful. It was big enough-- not grand, not little, just right. But they spent a long time saving for it just like each and everyone of us)," he added.
Over simple but delicious lunch, Paolo, Miguel, and their family had a lengthy talk with the Vice President and her daughters, Aika, Tricia, and Jillian.
“Nung kumakain kami ng lunch, nakapag-usap kami nang mahaba, si VP pati mga anak niya, kasama ng pamilya namin. Dun namin sila mas nakilala bilang tao. Alam niyo guys, sobrang kalmado lang talaga nila (Our family had a lengthy discussion with the Vice President and her daughters over lunch. We got to know them as people. They were really calm),” Paolo said.
“Nung una, nakausap ko yung magkakapatid na anak ni VP, tas nag-uusap lang kami tungkol sa buhay pati mga hobbies nila, kung san sila nag-aral, tsaka mga kwento na rin sa likod ng banda namin tsaka mga kanta na rin namin. Sobrang chill nila,” he added.
Paolo, Miguel, and Robredo’s youngest daughter Jillian capped the visit with a jamming session, singing to some of Ben&Ben’s hit songs such as “Araw-Araw” and “Kathang Isip.”
The Vice President also shared some pictures from the visit on her Facebook page, thanking the band members for their surprise visit.
“Best surprise for Jillian, who is a great fan,” Robredo said.
"Always amazed when celebrities as popular as them remain so humble and grounded. And they’re even better up close," she added.
Ben&Ben has performed in some of Robredo’s jampacked grand rallies, including the PasigLaban event attended by around 137,000 supporters.