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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Rufus Rodriguez shares how it feels like to meet the Dalai Lama

Rufus Rodriguez shares how it feels like to meet the Dalai Lama

Published Feb 23, 2026 09:28 am

At A Glance

  • A very moving and touching experience. That's how Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez--accompanied by his wife--described his meeting with religious leader, the Dalai Lama over the weekend in India.
From left to right: The 14th Dalai Lama, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Nenen Rodriguez (Facebook)
From left to right: The 14th Dalai Lama, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Nenen Rodriguez (Facebook)


A very moving and touching experience.
That's how Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez--accompanied by his wife--described his meeting with religious leader, the Dalai Lama over the weekend in India.
"Upon the invitation of the Central Tibetan Administration, Nenen and I had a personal audience with His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama at his Temple in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, this Sunday morning," Rodriguez wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday, Feb. 22.
"This was on the occasion of the 86th Anniversary of the Enthronement of the Dalai Lama on February 22, 1940, in Tibet," he noted.
"This was a very moving and touching experience that Nenen and I had. It was a very impactful lifetime experience which we will never forget," said the former House deputy speaker.
Rodriguez shared the meaningful conversation he had with the current Dalai Lama. He told him that the Philippines was "working hard to have a compassionate society and that our government is working hard for the benefit of the Filipino people".
"Aside from congratulating the Dalai Lama for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, I said that the Philippines was honored, and I take pride that our country gave him one of its highest awards, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1959, his first international recognition, for leading the Tibetan community’s struggle to defend their religion and culture and for his commitment to non-violence," he said.
"Upon hearing this from his interpreter, the Dalai Lama’s eyes brightened. He held my hands and said, 'Thank you,'” the veteran solon narrated.
As for gifts, Rodriguez said he gave the Dalai Lama a table runner from the House of Representatives and a picture frame made of pearl. "He again said, 'Thank you.'”
"Then Nenen and I stood beside him for pictures, and he held our hands. Finally, he gave us his blessings," Rodriguez said.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, born in 1935 in Tibet, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two. He has lived in exile in Dharamshala, India, since 1959 following China’s takeover of Tibet.
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