Before that day, we got a personal call from Gov. Vi saying that when she was informed about the award, she remembered our late wife, Victoria, who was her mentor on local governance at the UP College of Public Administration before she became mayor of Lipa. “I just want to tell you na gusto ko lang i-share ito kay Ate Vicky,” says Gov. Vi. “Hinding-hindi ko siya malilimutan and everything na itinuro niya sa akin.”
It’s a simple gesture. But of course, we were so touched. When my wife passed, Gov. Vi came to her wake and delivered a beautiful eulogy. My wife was really following Gov. Vi’s career then and she’d feel jubilant everytime then Mayor Vi would get an award for her services in Lipa. We’re sure she’s now also very happy for Gov. Vi.
