Loi Ejercito & Ellen Binay on power, politics and tears

It was supposed to be simply a lunch date with 11 ladies at our favorite Claw Daddy resto at The Fort. But for me, it turned out to be storytelling time with my favorite First Ladies, Loi Ejercito and Ellen Binay.

Both Loi and Ellen are doctors, and I admire them both for being able to valiantly heal their own wounds in the battlefield called politics where intrigues, black propaganda, rivalries and envious foes are likely to inflict pain on you — if you are not strong enough.

Obviously they are both strong, having also survived all the anguish that goes with being married to men of power who naturally attract women. Their husbands — former President-turned Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay — have successfully transformed their surnames into huge brand names that easily spell victory at the polls.And both are beloved by the Filipino masses.

What does all this power mean to Loi and Ellen?

 â€œFunny but when I became First Lady, people kept telling me that I was assuming a position of power, just like Imelda Marcos , who could do anything she wanted when her husband was president,” Loi says.

“I looked for the power, and there was none. I realized that Imelda created the power for herself,” she added.

Certainly not the type who would crave for power, Loi was a humble and self-effacing First Lady who brought back respect to the position which was rapaciously abused during martial law. This doctor who later served as senator focused on organizing medical missions for the poor and the underprivileged, aside from the usual cultural and socio-civic projects assigned to the First Lady.

As First Lady of Manila now, Loi has seen enough places of poverty nationwide, but is still shocked at so much squalor right in the heart of Manila.

“The most heart-wrenching was the sight of families living inside tunnels under bridges of Manila. Ay naku, I asked myself: How do we help these people?,“Loi asks.

She believes in education more than just dole-outs. “But first we have to remove the children from that area where they are forced to do sordid jobs and are exposed to bad elements. In Tondo naman, women are forced into  prostitution between the ages 12 to 16, and their pimps are the pahinantes. “Loi explains.

“Maybe Dan Brown saw all these, that's why he referred to Manila as the gates of hell.”

Looking good and so relaxed, Loi says she doesn't depend on any anti-aging cream. She and her husband underwent stem cell therapy, though, and the results were amazing. After that she  danced all night in her stilettos during a family party.

“Yes, and when we were abroad, a foreigner thought I was only 60,” Loi smiles. “And another foreigner asked if a friend — who was with me and was my same age — was my mother!”

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Speaking of feel-good experiences, Dr. Elenita Binay says she cannot forget her most touching experience — as a mother.

“Seven years ago, I had to undergo a knee operation in the United States that required me to stay there for weeks of recovery. I felt so alone and lonely. My husband and children were all busy with their jobs, whether in government or in their own careers.” Ellen recalls.

“Guess who came to the US to take care of me and fetch me? My son Junjun Binay, who took a brief break from his job then as Makati City councilor.” (He is now Makati Mayor).

“Sinusubuan niya ako. “C’mon, Mom, you have to eat,’ “Junjun would urge me to take meals because I did not really feel like eating then as I felt really down. Every 30 minutes, he would patiently accompany me to go to the bathroom as I took slow, difficult steps,” Ellen says.“Imagine , it was my only boy who took care of me.”

Dr. Binay gets teary-eyed every time she recalls this.

There is a recent incident that likewise moves her to tears. “Once, at the junction in Tagaytay, a group of street kids selling assorted wares approached our car. It has always been my habit to buy things from street peddlers, even if I don’t really need these. Then I asked if they lived with their parents and if they were going to school. It was such a hot day that I offered to buy them drinks, and immediately they shouted, ‘Coke!’

“So we bought Coke for them and suddenly, one of the boys was sobbing, crying out loud. I asked him what was the matter,” Ellen recalls.

The boy replied: “I cried because I feel so happy. It is my first time to drink Coke.”

Another topic that makes Dr. Binay’s eyes moist is the way people maligned her daughter Nancy Binay (she placed sixth among 12 winning senators) for her skin color. “Why do people do that? Why do they want to pull her down?”

Nancy got on-the-job training from her parents and is currently taking courses on government and public administration at the University of the Philippines.

Dr. Binay says Nancy will focus on children’s welfare, among other things. Nancy also shares her mother’s concern for providing medical care for the underprivileged.

Nini Licaros, a lady with a big heart who has been staunchly helping Dr. Binay with her projects, proudly says:  “You should see the clinics we have set up in Makati as well as Malate for those who need dialysis, which is one of the most expensive treatments that are not within the reach of the poor right now.”

Dr. Binay is definitely a hardworking lady. But why do I call her First Lady? Well, she was First Lady of Makati when Jejomar Binay was Mayor. She also served as Makati Mayor. And she may yet be our country’s next First Lady.