Actor Enchong Dee is among the many Filipinos whose lives were touched by the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.
The relationship between the Dee and Robredo families goes a long way back, when the Interior Secretary was still the mayor of Naga City, the young actor's hometown.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Dee recalled "good memories" with the late public servant, whose remains were found last Tuesday in the ill-fated plane that crashed in the waters off Masbate.
"Naging family friend namin siya when I was still in Naga, competing for swimming," Dee said, who was a competitive swimmer before he joined showbiz.
"Natutuwa si Tito Jesse 'pag may nagdadala ng honor sa Naga City noon. Everytime na nagko-compete kami, may nadadala akong gold medals. Tapos nakakapag-international competition pa ako, tapos nakakapagdala ako ng honor for the Philippines," said the young actor, who was in the same swimming team as one of Robredo's daughters for a time.
Humble mayor
Because of Dee's contributions to Naga, Robredo, who served as the city's mayor for six three-year terms, even granted the actor a scholarship in recognition of his achievements in the swimming pool.
"Nag-decide siya na gawin akong scholar sa Naga, ng government of Naga City. [But] he was very quiet [about his kindness], ayaw niya na bino-broadcast lahat nung ginagawa niya," Dee said, noting that unlike most public servants today, Robredo never "announced" his accomplishments.
"Kami sa Naga, nasanay kami na si Tito Jesse wala siyang, 'This project was done by mayor ganito, ganyan.' Wala siyang ganun," Dee said.
Tito Jesse's last advice
Instead, it was through his words and actions that Robredo motivated others to contribute to their community, Dee said.
Dee said Robredo advised him to never forget his roots as a Nageño, in spite of his accomplishments as an athlete and now as an actor.
"The last time I saw him, sabi niya sa 'kin, 'Enchong, kahit anong mangyari sa 'yo, kahit saan ka mapunta, huwag na huwag mong kakalimutan na Nageño ka, na Bikolano ka, at bumalik ka sa Naga, at tulungan mong mapabuti ang kabuhayan ng mga Nageño.
"Nung narinig ko 'yun -- parang an gsarap din maging public servant kung ganun 'yung nakikita mong role model. That's why I'm going to try my best na masunod 'yung inutos niya," Dee said.
"Ang daming good memories na sana marami pang ma-inspire dun sa ginagawa niya," he added.
Dee said his family has extended their condolences to the Robredos. The young actor also hopes to visit the wake of the well-loved public servant, whose remains will be brought to Manila on Friday.
"Noog una kong nalaman ['yung nangyari], sabi ko, 'Bakit siya?' Bilang na lang natin 'yung talagang matatawag natin na public servant, tapos siya pa 'yung nawala," Dee said of Robredo's passing.
"Nakakalungkot, nakakapang-hinayang. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala," he added.
The relationship between the Dee and Robredo families goes a long way back, when the Interior Secretary was still the mayor of Naga City, the young actor's hometown.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Dee recalled "good memories" with the late public servant, whose remains were found last Tuesday in the ill-fated plane that crashed in the waters off Masbate.
"Naging family friend namin siya when I was still in Naga, competing for swimming," Dee said, who was a competitive swimmer before he joined showbiz.
"Natutuwa si Tito Jesse 'pag may nagdadala ng honor sa Naga City noon. Everytime na nagko-compete kami, may nadadala akong gold medals. Tapos nakakapag-international competition pa ako, tapos nakakapagdala ako ng honor for the Philippines," said the young actor, who was in the same swimming team as one of Robredo's daughters for a time.
Humble mayor
Because of Dee's contributions to Naga, Robredo, who served as the city's mayor for six three-year terms, even granted the actor a scholarship in recognition of his achievements in the swimming pool.
"Nag-decide siya na gawin akong scholar sa Naga, ng government of Naga City. [But] he was very quiet [about his kindness], ayaw niya na bino-broadcast lahat nung ginagawa niya," Dee said, noting that unlike most public servants today, Robredo never "announced" his accomplishments.
"Kami sa Naga, nasanay kami na si Tito Jesse wala siyang, 'This project was done by mayor ganito, ganyan.' Wala siyang ganun," Dee said.
Tito Jesse's last advice
Instead, it was through his words and actions that Robredo motivated others to contribute to their community, Dee said.
Dee said Robredo advised him to never forget his roots as a Nageño, in spite of his accomplishments as an athlete and now as an actor.
"The last time I saw him, sabi niya sa 'kin, 'Enchong, kahit anong mangyari sa 'yo, kahit saan ka mapunta, huwag na huwag mong kakalimutan na Nageño ka, na Bikolano ka, at bumalik ka sa Naga, at tulungan mong mapabuti ang kabuhayan ng mga Nageño.
"Nung narinig ko 'yun -- parang an gsarap din maging public servant kung ganun 'yung nakikita mong role model. That's why I'm going to try my best na masunod 'yung inutos niya," Dee said.
"Ang daming good memories na sana marami pang ma-inspire dun sa ginagawa niya," he added.
Dee said his family has extended their condolences to the Robredos. The young actor also hopes to visit the wake of the well-loved public servant, whose remains will be brought to Manila on Friday.
"Noog una kong nalaman ['yung nangyari], sabi ko, 'Bakit siya?' Bilang na lang natin 'yung talagang matatawag natin na public servant, tapos siya pa 'yung nawala," Dee said of Robredo's passing.
"Nakakalungkot, nakakapang-hinayang. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala," he added.
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