Search For Jesse Robredo’s Missing Plane Continues Off Philippine Coast

Jess Robredo
…to die a hero.

By Apolinario B. Villalobos

1
At a young age -
Showed the world.
He’s that strong;.
Used to the fullest.
What God gave him.
As the stairs of knowledge.
He took one rung at a time-
Carefully, not to miss the steps….

2
Strong leader as a student -
Many tried to emulate his ways.
Some did try but failed.
To be Jess is not that easy.
His friends proudly said.
Simple ways he had.
But hard to be copied.
A really rare breed, that lad….

3
His intellectual thirst was such.
That even three educational degrees.
Seemed not enough to accomplish;.
Took a wife, equally strong.
And like him is intelligent;.
The two built a home.
With a foundation of love.
And pillars of determination….

4
Alas! Not long afterwards.
The couple thanked the Lord.
For the three beautiful girls He gave;.
Their joy was such that they did their best.
To mold the three into the same ways.
Into which they grew –.
Respect for others, and love, too.
Respect for time, and money, too….

5
At the helm of Naga City, at twenty –nine.
Jess showed that when called to serve others.
Age is just a number, and skill matters;.
Unfazed by responsibilities, he did his best.
By just being him -
As he checked busted city street lights every night.
As he scraped mud from streets after the floods.
As he helped garbage collectors fill their trucks.
A he patted the back of those who sought his counsel.
As he handed coins to the destitute he met.
As he smiled his way through days of problems.
As he wore the same office uniform just like others.
As he took the bus to Manila and tricycle to functions.
And many more Jess ways….
Hence, the Magsaysay Award at so young an age!

6
Though unfortunate to see high brows.
This was when chosen by P-Noy to head DILG.
Many, as usual tried to block his way.
But just as when he was in Naga,
He was unfazed, and just worked his best;.
No meetings and official ceremonies.
Stopped Jess from skipping at least one meal –.
One meal with his family, his precious family.
Not even that distant meeting in Cebu one day.
That was the fateful 18th of August 2012.
When he took a Cessna flight for home.
But as nearing Masbate, was distressed….

7
For three days, people cried and hoped.
That he was just carried by waves to nearby islets.
Or that a fisherman took him home to recuperate;.
Alarmed but praying to the Lord.
People patiently waited ….
Until, finally on the 21st of August 2012.
Jess has been brought to shore…

8
A hero? more than a hero I say!
Politicians who gave him a hard time.
In getting the more than deserved confirmation.
Are now cringing in guilt… suddenly silent.
Alibis are said, but no amount of such.
Could make a cover up for their misdeed;.
They refused to see what Jess had been doing.
For us, his countrymen who for long.
The dirty air of politics we were breathing;.
Politicians whose schedules are filled with investigations.
That did not give much result, but limelight grabbing.
They who played “intelligent”, “hero of the people”.
Are so eerily silent…………………………….
Yes… so silent………….

9
To be a hero is to die with a purpose.
It is only at death.
That others accept what he did for others.
It is a sacrifice for the man and his loved ones.
But what can he do?
It is God’s will and plan –.
The only way to make others acknowledge him.
The only way to open their eyes to see him.
And open their mind to finally make them think.
That, indeed, he is unselfish, hardworking, etc….

10
To die a hero should not be seen as late in coming.
God has a way as to when this should happen.
His acts are done at the right time.
And we, His creatures, His instruments.
Can just wait, most often caught unprepared.
But Jess was not –.
For even as a child, his ways.
Led to his being that –.
A hero, and he died for it….
Though for others, hard to accept.