My first encounter with the legend who was Nene Pimentel I was struck with a mixture of feelings.
It was 1996 when I first met Sen. Nene. I was introduced by the late Dir. Terry Dumogho as the PDP Laban Secretary General- Caloocan Chapter, during their meeting at his law office in Gold Loop, Ortigas Pasig
I trembled being with a man with a notable hoarse voice that could easily intimidate those within hearing distance. Yet unexpectedly I was astonished by the tenderness, even meekness of his demeanor when he talked.
I was excited to see him for the first time. Here I was, awed in the presence of a man who stood larger than life with his unparalleled political exploits. I was also inspired being with him knowing so many people looked up to him.
But after two decades of tagging along with this man, I realized he was simply using all his waking hours working for the betterment of his people. And he seemed to always be in a hurry, aware that borrowed life on Earth had time limits. Procrastination was his vaunted enemy. “Don’t waste time,” was his constant reminder.
In 1998 I was asked by Dir Terry Dumogho to join him in the Office of Sen. Nene to assist him in handling the Local Government Committee, assigned to him by Sir Nene.
Early in my professional career, I found myself to be an easy fit doing the work of a secretary. I became one to a few.
In three years from 1998-2001 I was secretary to Dir. Terry Dumogho, to Chief of Staff Gwen Pimentel-Gana and to Dir. Ed Salvosa, handling administrative work and sometimes legislative task. Then I realized it was training experience for me for greater responsibilities.
In December of 2001, I was asked by M’ Gwen to substitute the secretary of Sir Nene, (Ate Ruby), who was scheduled to go on leave for two weeks, I did as secretaries are supposed to do —- follow instructions.
I then became the (substitute) secretary of Sir Nene for two weeks, attending to all his office needs and grueling, back-breaking schedule. I might say that I was able to do my job well for that two-week stint.
On the last day of my two-week tour-of duty as temporary secretary of Sir Nene, on my way home, I received a call from COS Gwen, telling me that “Clarisse as per Tatay, starting Monday you will be his secretary”.
At first, I was hesitant, aware of the demands of the job. I told COS Gwen, that I will just assist his secretary, but COS Gwen just told me to report to Tatay on following Monday. So, I went to the office and I saw Sir Nene, and he immediately told me that “starting today you will be my secretary, and Ruby will be the administrative head of the office”. And that was it.
I became Sir Nene’s secretary for more than two decades.
Twenty-one years of immense learnings.
Twenty-one years of training on the job.
Twenty-one years working for this man who tirelessly worked to make the lives of people better.
Filipinos from earlier generation knew Sir Nene of his exploits as a fearless freedom fighter.
Later in his life he wanted to be known as a bridge-builder, one who connected what otherwise were separated by ideology, beliefs, religion, social backgrounds.
A previous chapter of his life may have been devoted to fighting—- fighting oppression, fighting injustice, fighting tyranny.
When I worked for Sir Nene, I saw a man who was more an innovator, a creator, who made things happen, a peacemaker, unifier. Naturally it was a gentler (by and large), mellowed (but with occasional deviations), toned down boss. (Thank God)
I was his secretary in his Senate office, until his term ended in 2010, and even beyond.
As a secretary, I handled all his engagements here and abroad, prepared power point presentation for his speeches, did research work for his books, to be physically present to assist him in his official engagements and perform other functions as assigned to me from time to time.
After his term ended as a Senator in 2010, he asked me to join him in his Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance up to this time.
Working with him for more than two decades, I can truly say, I was educated in a way that just couldn’t be measured by diplomas or degrees. It wasn’t much of academic learning, although there were tons of it. It was learning more about the purpose of life. What are we here on Earth for? It is to make the lives of others better.
To mention some of Nene’s teachings, it was to value our work and don’t waste time. He repeatedly said that “‘Yung pera mapapalitan pagnawala, pero yong time paglumipas na, at may bagay na dapat sana ay nagawa mo sa oras na iyon ay hindi na maibabalik pa”.
He loved working not for himself but for the country. I am the living witness of how hardworking he was. If you were his staff, you should do your best in your work. There were times when even at 3 a.m., I received text from him saying “pag gising mo sa umaga, email me this”.
He was awake when the whole town slept.
Yet Sir Nene was a very ordinary person. And how he loved his blue barong. He actually had quite a few of them. But it seemed he only had one because he kept wearing the same kind and color. He shunned fashion, but not passion.
He even cracked jokes, telling me funny stories, during our travel time, in an airplane or in his car.
He also got mad, but he was the unusual type of boss who apologized. He would email you or personally write you a letter, saying sorry for my outburst, and “let’s work again tomorrow.”
There are many stories to tell and words are not enough to describe how good a person and boss Sen. Nene was.
For 21 years of working with him he did not treat us –those who worked for him– as if we were below him. He treated us with dignity, as his partners in the tasks he had to perform.
Thank you, Sir, for lessons of life. I will be forever grateful that once in my life I became part of your journey to serve our people and country.