A day in the life... of Jojo Binay

MANILA, Philippines - The rigors of the campaign have not spoiled Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay’s appetite for exercise.

Binay regularly plays badminton – sometimes for up to four-and-a-half hours at a time, runs marathons and does brisk walking, sometimes as he visits his constituents.

An ordinary day for the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition vice presidential candidate starts at 6 a.m. and daily reading from the Bible. Breakfast consists of rice, fish and fruits. Multivitamins, garlic and malunggay pills are also part of his diet.

“I never bring food on sorties, but I never forget to bring water. I eat what is available. I am always exposed to sunlight and I never thought I could become even darker,” Binay, known for his swarthy complexion, joked.

Binay, who has served as Makati mayor for more than 20 years, said he never took drugs even in his younger years. But he admitted that he used to smoke a pack a day, but stopped in 1972.

“I read a book that says that if you are told by your doctor to stop smoking, you stop. So, why wait for that advice from the doctor,” he said.

To prove that he is still healthy at 67, Binay joined editors and staff in climbing up to the fourth floor of The STAR building where his interview was held.

And although his blood pressure was recorded at 160/100 after the climb, he said his regular BP was 120/90.

At The STAR, Binay ate mixed vegetables (carrots, sayote and cabbage), several pieces of fish fillet, and no rice.

He said he can still run 10 kilometers in 43 minutes.

“That is equivalent to 4.8 to 4.4 (minutes) per kilometer. My weight is 145 lbs from the start of the campaign. I can still run. I can still play badminton. I’m now 67 years old,” Binay said, adding that he wants to reduce the size of his belly because people have told him that he has gained weight.

Aiming for the vice presidency

“I’m very much an optimist that is why I believe I’m going to win this election. One thing that I’m proud of is none of my children ever committed abuses during my more than 20 years as mayor of Makati,” said Binay, who is a consistent third in the surveys.

He admitted to having a temper.

“My temper depends on the situation. If you have no temper, you are a robot. I have high tones when I’m angry. But I never say bad words. People who are makulit (stubborn) make me angry. I also drink, but social drinking only. Before I drink gin and orange, Tanduay (rhum) and Coke. But now I only drink red wine,” he said.

A gun enthusiast, Binay said he target shoots to unwind.

If elected vice president, he said he wants to become secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) so he can use his experience as local chief executive.

“If I will be asked, probably I will offer myself as secretary of DILG. I’m the most senior local official. I took oath as OIC (officer-in-charge) in February 1986. I sincerely believe that when a barangay is progressive, the city or municipality will also be progressive. If the city or municipality is progressive, the provinces will also be progressive, and if the provinces will be progressive, the national government and the entire country will be progressive too,” Binay said.