Leni Robredo lauded for viral ‘waiting for a bus’ photo

By: Aries Joseph Hegina - 10 years ago

Photo from Atty. Leni Gerona Robredo’s Facebook account

MANILA, Philippines – A photo of Camarines Sur third district Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo while waiting alone for a provincial bus to Naga City has gone viral and has since drew admirations from netizens.

The photo, which was taken by the lawmaker’s friend Keisha del Castillo last December 4, showed a woman waiting alone at a gas station in Magallanes, Makati City, donned in a striped shirt and denim pants and carrying two bags.

Del Castillo’s caption for the photo says: “The art of riding the bus to Naga: if you can’t catch it in Cubao, you can always try to flag it down at the Magallanes Shell Station. Like Cong. Leni Robredo.”

Robredo, a lawyer and widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, confirmed that she was the woman in the photo.

In Robredo’s official Facebook account, she explained why she needed to stake out at a gas station to catch her bus: “Yes, that is definitely me. Taken by Keisha del Castillo at the Magallanes Shell Station as I was waiting for my bus last night. Keisha brought me there from McKinley Hill in Taguig after I delivered my Freedom Speech for FNF. Definitely my worst angle but can’t resist posting. Nakakatawa lang. Parang nag alsa -balutan at naglayas ang drama.”

She added that she opted to wait at the gas station because she won’t make the trip if she decides to go to the bus station in Cubao in Quezon City.

The photo has been liked by 14, 488 people and has been shared 2,110 times.

Netizens praised the lawmaker for being humble and a good example for other public officials.

Facebook user Jun Ramirez said “I admire you for being humble, you take the public transport like majority of the Filipinos. Unlike some of your peers in Congress who parade their #8 license plate wherever they go.”

Gomer Coronel said that “the picture personifies the humbleness of any human being, let alone a politician. please take care, Cong Atty. Leni Gerona Robredo.”

Tata Liceralde said “God bless you always Cong. Atty. Leni Gerona Robredo! I still believe there is hope in the Philippine politics because of servant- politicians like you.”