Body Talk with Dick Gordon

If he wins in the May 10 elections, we will have a Dick as President of the Republic of the Philippines — Richard “Dick” Gordon, that is.

He’s the same Dick who put back Olongapo City to its feet after the American base was closed, by encouraging the residents, “Kaya natin ‘to!” And that’s what he plans to do to the whole country as, well, “President Dick”...if ever.

When Dick described himself as “caring and compassionate,” I believe him. Those same adjectives also aptly describe his sister, Barbara Gordon-delos Reyes (whose son, J.C. delos Reyes, is one of the nine presidential aspirants, running under the Ang Kapatiran banner). Fondly called Ate Bai, she showed her “caring” and “compassionate” nature when her teenage daughter was killed by a man who broke into their house. Tita Bai did the same thing that Pope John Paul II did to the man who tried to kill him: She visited the convicted killer in the National Penitentiary and forgave him, even started giving him food.

Said June Torrejon, a close friend of Tita Bai, “She’s a true healer. She and her late husband, Sonny delos Reyes, acted as head servants of the Bukas-Loob sa Diyos which had Fr. Adorable as spiritual adviser. Tita Bai owns and manages Barbara’s (resto) in Intramuros, Manila and Orchidarium. She also caters the prestige cruises around Manila Bay.”

When my late mom, Remedios Fua Lo, was in the hospital, Tita Bai paid her a surprise visit and prayed over her.

That’s why I understand where Dick was coming from when he said he was “caring” and “compassionate.”

Dick is married to Kate Gordon, former mayor of Olongapo and then representative of Zambales.

Standing 5’6”, Dick weighs 190 pounds. He’s the fourth in Funfare’s special “body talk” series on presidentiables (coming after Sen. Manny Villar, Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Gibo Teodoro) to find out how fit and ready they are for the Herculean task that waits for them, if elected.

Do you have a temper?

“Yes, my temper surfaces when there is a lack of urgency. I am very passionate about everything I do, and I believe that everyone should give 200 percent to get things done, especially if it is for the common good, or to right a wrong they have seen committed.”

What makes you angry?

“The same things that should make everyone angry: Injustice, exploitation of the vulnerable, as well as the lack of urgency of the people who can fix the blame but not the problem. Anger is useless without action, so I channel those feelings to change the circumstances of people who have been victimized by these things.”

How do you unwind?

“I enjoy going to the movies with my wife; fishing with my wife, children and grandkids; and reading a good book.”

How do you divide your time between family and work?

“I am blessed with a supportive family who help me with my work. Plus, I am always in touch with my wife and kids. We call each other several times a day, and we say, ‘I love you’ every night before we go to bed.”

When did you have your last executive check-up?

“About two years ago. But I have my blood tested every three months.”

Are you taking any vitamins and/or medication?

“Not really, but my daughter enforces that I take a multivitamin now.”

What’s your diet like?

“I eat oatmeal and grilled bangus in the morning but with my busy schedule I either forget to eat or just eat whenever there is an opportunity and whatever is offered.”

What’s usually for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner, and snacks in between?

“When I am at home, it is easy to control what I eat. Oatmeal and bangus for breakfast. As much as possible, I stick to grilled or broiled beef or seafood and a lot of steamed vegetables, even when I eat out. I snack a lot on popcorn, but when I want to indulge, I eat Chocnut.”

Do you work out?

“I try to get on the treadmill every morning for 30 minutes and then another 30 at night.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

“The quest to improve oneself is never-ending. Physically, my belly could be smaller, but as long as someone is healthy, he or she should be comfortable in his or her own skin.”

Do you catch your breath when you go up the stairs, say, to the fifth floor?

“When I was Secretary of Tourism, I walked up to the fourth floor office every day, so those things aren’t really a problem. I was part of the track-and-field team, when I was in school.”

How do you cope with stress?

“I get the job done and that way there’s nothing to be stressed about.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Depending on the night, an average of maybe four to five hours. Six hours would be a luxury.”

Favorite sleep wear?

“A butas-butas white shirt and shorts.”

Do you snore?

“My wife says I do.”

Doesn’t it bother your wife?

“Marriage is a sacred institution that can withstand much more than snorts and snuffs.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“No, I don’t. I do enough talking when I’m awake.”

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“Pray. Then, I say ‘I love you’ to my wife and kiss her.”

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

“Stay in bed and think with my eyes closed and then I look at my phones and check for any urgent messages.””

What was the last movie that you saw?

“I like Braveheart (starring Mel Gibson) I tend to watch it over and over.”

Do you watch pirated DVDs?

“No. I was the lawyer of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry. Promotion of the Filipino artists whose intellectual creations should be protected is part of my governance agenda.”

What’s your outlook in life? Are you a worrier or optimistic?

“I’m an optimist but I do worry. My worrying doesn’t get in the way of a better tomorrow. I don’t allow doubts to cloud the way I see tomorrow, to will things to be better.”

How’s your sex life?

“Private, between me and my wife. We’ve been married for 40 years. Obviously, we have a very, very good relationship on all scores.

What do you like most about yourself?

“I motivate people and uplift standards of behavior and consciousness of people no matter how difficult the challenges. I’m willing to accept them even when there are very dark moments; I know I will prevail over setbacks.”

And what, if any, don’t you like about yourself?

“I am very impatient. I want to see things done right away, and I get frustrated when that doesn’t happen.”

Are you a sucker for sob stories?

“If you call caring for others who are in a sad state of life gullible, then I am.”

How do you pray and what do you usually pray for?

“I pray in my own words. Ever since my early school days, I have always carried a rosary.”

Any favorite saint?

“St. Ignatius for founding the Jesuits and St. Estanislau Kostka because of his saying, ‘I was born for greater things’.”

Who’s your role model, somebody you look up to?

“My father (James Gordon who was murdered while serving as Olongapo mayor) and my mother (Amelia Gordon who also became Olongapo mayor). They taught me to work hard and to think not only of myself but also of others.”

If you were an animal, what would you be?

“I’d be an eagle, a horizon chaser that flies high, sees depth and breadth alike, and doesn’t fear the horizon.”

If your life story were made into a movie, who do you want to play Dick Gordon?

“Quite frankly, it doesn’t bother me.”

How many leading ladies would there be?

“Two. My wife and my mother.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])