VP Leni says daughter wears ‘what matters most’ at NYU baccalaureate


Vice President Leni Robredo was nowhere near a country’s second-highest official on Tuesday, May 17, as she fussed over youngest daughter Jillian during a baccalaureate service at the New York University, where she graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Economics.

Vice President Leni Robredo and her daughters—Aika, Tricia, and Jillian—pose for a family photo in front of the Washington Square Arch. (Photo from Leni Robredo via Instagram)

She posted on Facebook a photo of Jillian while wearing her NYU toga, as well as “what matters most.”

“NYU Baccalaureate today. Jillian wearing what matters most - a pendant containing her Papa’s ashes, her graduation stole with the colors of the Philippine flag and her Rosas pin,” she wrote.

The pendant was similar to the ones worn by the Vice President herself and daughters Aika and Tricia. Each contains former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo’s ashes.

The Rosas pin was reminiscent of the campaign logo Robredo used during the recently concluded 2022 presidential elections, which she lost by as much as 16 million votes to presumed president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

VP Leni Robredo and Jillian Robredo prepare for the New York University’s baccalaureate service (Leni Robredo/ Instagram)

Robredo and her daughters are spending a week in New York to attend Jillian’s graduation and to spend time together as a family, the first since 2012 when Jesse suddenly died in a plane crash.

Jillian, who is on full scholarship, will graduate during the formal commencement exercises at the Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, May 18 (9 p.m. Manila time). A live stream of the event will be broadcasted on NYU’s official site.

Robredo also shared some snaps of the family, captioning one photo that showed her helping Jillian put on her toga with, “Stage mothering, as always.”

She also posted on her Instagram stories photos of her three girls in front of the Radio City Music Hall and them as a family in front of the Washington Square Arch.

Another photo showed the “Team Pilipinas” NYU graduates and their parents.