A day in the life... of Bro. Eddie

MANILA, Philippines - Since joining the presidential race, Bro. Eddie, founder of the Jesus Is Lord Church worldwide, has sacrificed sleep for more time on the campaign trail. These days, four hours of sleep is about all he gets.

He woke up at 4 a.m. last Thursday so as not to miss the two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Sorsogon to Masbate.

A friend lent him and his Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) ticket for a private plane to get to the island province after a problem in the booking for passenger seats arose.

After the short campaign, he took another flight in the afternoon for Manila to attend to other commitments and be on time for the presidential forum at The STAR yesterday.

A typical breakfast usually consists of oatmeal, bulanglang (boiled vegetable) and vanilla-flavored supplement drinks like Ensure.

On the road, he eats whatever is given to him by volunteers, usually packed rice meals.

His wife Sister Dory prepares his vitamins whenever he has to leave their house in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Bro. Eddie inherited his late father Joaquin’s love for sports – his father was an Olympic sprinter – and enjoys basketball, badminton and table tennis.

However, these days he has to content himself with stretching and stationary jogging for 30 minutes in hotel rooms and wherever he finds himself.

Turning a new leaf

Since he was “arrested” by God 37 years ago, he turned from being an atheist into a follower of Jesus Christ. Villanueva has always started and ended his day with prayer and despite with the rigors of the campaign he makes time for meditation.

He admitted that he prays every time he has a moment of silence, which these days had become a luxury, even in the bathroom.

“As I go around, I have seen that there are a lot more reasons to pray for. I also continue to receive letters asking for prayers,” he said.

He admitted that his family at first was indignant about his plans to enter the 2010 presidential race. But he was able to convince them to support his decision.

“They love me and they know about my love and passion for the country. I want to fight for justice and democracy while I still can and not when I am too old to try to make a difference. So when the time comes and I have to face God, I can tell Him that I did my share,” said the 63-year-old pastor.

He admits, though, that he seldom brings his family on his out-of-town sorties, because he doesn’t want to “inconvenience anybody.”

But there are instances when one of his children would show up. His wife, on the other hand, has a women’s group and uses it to campaign for him.

Apart from his wife and four kids, he misses seeing his four grandchildren. His three grandsons are in the United States, and only his one-year-old granddaughter, Eleana Doreen, is in the country.

“Whenever I go home to Bulacan, I immediately look for my granddaughter. She is my source of joy,” he said.

Before the campaign disrupted their lifestyle, Saturday was dedicated as a family day. They attend Church activities on Sundays and Monday is the designated “pastor’s rest day.”

Brand new politics

On his way to the next destination, Bro. Eddie would discuss strategies with his think tank and listen to gospel songs, which he said is “very refreshing to the spirit.”

He loves listening to the music of his daughter Joni who is a Christian singer.

Campaigning for a national post is physically challenging but he gets his strength from his family, supporters and the grace of God. The Bangon Pilipinas Party, with its slogan of “anim na taon na walang korupsyon” (six years of no corruption), offers a new brand of politics.

“We are giving the Filipino people the chance to decide. If they like what we offer, which is a new brand of politics, thank you. If they do not like, then thank you also,” the evangelist said.

In the event that he wins and becomes the 15th president of the country he said he would live in Malacañang. “I will absolutely use the official residence. I would set up a 24-hour hot line since there are Filipinos who live abroad and what is daytime to us would be nighttime to them. I would be accessible to the people.”

Villanueva, who does not attack his rivals, said he would extend a hand of reconciliation. “They are my friends. In fact, they used to visit me at my home or at the office.”

When asked what lesson he has learned from touring the country, he said, “There are still a lot of things to be done. A lot of people still have the hangover of traditional politics and we need to educate them.”

“We also have to rebuild the sense of greatness of this nation,” he added.