Greetings! 

Much has been said, heard and viewed about the late Leader in Slippers, Mayor of Naga City, Philippines and yet it is just a drop in the huge, gaping vacuum left in the country, in the world by his death. His humility, his bare-footed, slipper-clod approach to taking charge and his ability to getting work done for his community was rare and unbelievable and, naturally, magnanimous.

In 2005, at a Naga City Council, I was the alien, unknown, invited guest speaker and he was the home-grown, deeply connected with the grassroots, with the spirit and the soul of every Nagaueno present there. At first, in his slippers and shorts, I did not know or notice but when he stood up to speak, people drew closer, their attention and participation levels shot up a million times. His every utterance was meaningful and relevant. He knew of their challenges as if they were his own. No, wrong! They were his own. He was them!

Post that encounter, at every event and gathering where our paths crossed my heart and mind lit up in his presence. I'd make special efforts to listen to this man who was the true salt of this earth or, as they say it here in the Philippines, a "tunay na pinoy." His dedication and love for his people, for his country and for the welfare and development of both was and will always remain incomparable. The world will miss you Jesse Robredo. Adios!                       

Mabuhay! Raju Mandhyan