Dr. Milwida “Nene” Guevara is the President and CEO of Synergeia Foundation, of which Sec. Jesse Robredo was a Trustee. Since Synergeia’s programs began more than ten years ago, Sec. Jesse mentored Synergeia’s sites in education reform, transparency, and accountability. To date, his “reinvented Local School Board” model has been adopted by over 260 cities and municipalities all over the country, including ARMM. Dr. Guevara and Sec. Robredo were close friends.
Just to show you what kind of a leader he is. Here is our Jesse leading an education summit in Naga:
Mayor Jesse and me in Jolo:
Mayor Jesse in Synergeia’s first covenant with then DepED’s Secretary Butch Abad. He came without anything and asked Chingkel for a diskette so that he can download his paper from the web.
Mayor Jesse when we opened Synergeia’s ARMM program in Upi. He rode on MVP’s plane that was borrowed by Fr. Nebres. Sana, pinahiram na lang siya ng plane ni MVP.
Mayor Jesse in New York. American mayors were just warming on on leading education programs–eh nagawa na ni Jesse sa Pilipinas. So, he was brought there to share his experiences. I was so proudly mentioning that he was a Magsaysay awardee when he passed by the hotel lobby in his chinese slippers. Ayos!
Mayor Jesse spending his first Christmas in Synergeia as a Cabinet member. Pareho pa rin, checkered pa rin ang shirt at walang medyas.
Mayor Jesse traversed the entire country mentoring Mayors and LSBs on how to reinvent Local School Board. And daling dalhin–nag-bus, sleeps in cheap hotels, and with just one assistant, Willie Prilles, who speaks like him.
Mayor Mayor Jesse is the 2005 Synergeia retreat. He was late, pero dumating din at naka-barong pa.
Last post for today. Pagod na ang puso ko. Here he is during a crying session with Mayors and Governors after the elections. The results were disappointing especially for the champions of good governance. But he asked everyone to have hopes and transform good governance into good politics.
Prof. Ernie Garilao said that we cannot find another Jesse but we should be like Jesse. At least, try our very best to live up to his ideals and virtues.
We miss you so very much Jesse.
- Milwida M. Guevara via Facebook
