Raul del Mar, Cebu City congressman and a dear friend

DAYS after the annual Sinulog celebration in 2001 when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had just been sworn in as president, I received unusual phone calls from two close friends of my late husband Cerge Remonde. Their purpose: to appeal to me to “allow” Cerge to accept an appointment in the Arroyo administration. I had had sleepless nights, imagining having to say goodbye to my contented life in Cebu City after Cerge called me from Manila to tell me that he was being considered for the position of press undersecretary. Sensing my reservations, Cerge contacted a few trusted friends, whom he thought could change my perspective. One of these friends was Raul del Mar.

I got on a plane to Manila the same day, Cerge assumed the post of press undersecretary two days later and the rest is history.