Words of wisdom from a humble lady. Never shoot from the hip. Leni Robredo in Facebook wrote, “Was recently invited to an online talk on lessons in leadership with global leaders from both the public and private sector. A common theme kept emerging during the discussions after —RESTRAINT.

“Restraint is the strength to control your emotions and impulses. It is the discipline to make thoughtful choices all the time. It is what reveals a depth of character.”

“Couldn’t agree more. Restraint is power. So, kahit sa pang araw-araw na buhay, advice ko pa rin ito sa mga friends (So, even in everyday life, my advice to friends is): 1) Wag magdesisyon pag inis o galit (Do not make decisions when irritated or angry); 2) Lugi ka pag lagi kang triggered (You lose if you are always triggered); 3) Chill lang, happy lang. May physical manifestations ang stress. Nakaka pangit (Be cool. Stress has physical manifestations. It makes you look ugly).

“(I wear a mask because) gustong kong sabihin, (I want to say) open your mouth only when necessary.”

The mayor and his daughter

This was inspired by a true event. Names have been changed for privacy. Rene Custodio is noted as a vicious shoot-from-the-hip mayor. His daughter Irene was graduating from a prestigious and expensive college. She was in tears.

MAYOR: What’s the matter.

IRENE: (Spilling it out fast) Dad, I have a big problem. I’m pregnant.

MAYOR: (Screaming in shock) What? You could not wait until you graduated? Get out of my sight (Irene leaves). Hey, come back here (She returns; he slaps her hard).

IRENE: Everybody in school knows about it. I don’t want to go to the graduation.

MAYOR: But you are the valedictorian and I heard you rehearsing your graduation speech. I order you to give your valedictory address.

IRENE: That was before I was pregnant. I will just accept my diploma.

MAYOR: You will get an abortion immediately. I will call Dr. Ryan. Then you are hereby exiled to Baguio.

IRENE: Jimmy, the salutatorian, is the father. We love each other. We both want the baby. We will get married. Please, dad.

MAYOR: No, you’re not getting married. Get an abortion, then you are exiled to Baguio. You have no choice.

Irene goes to her room, sobbing. She does not know what to do. She is contemplating eloping. She calls Jimmy on her cellphone.

IRENE: Hello, love. My dad wants me to abort the baby and attend the graduation, and give the valedictory address.

JIMMY: No. We agreed. We keep the baby, no matter what problems we face, remember?

IRENE: Dad says there is no choice.

JIMMY: Let’s elope and go to San Francisco. I have a cousin there who will take care of us.

IRENE: I can’t. Dad took my passport.

JIMMY: Let’s hide somewhere. We’ll think of someone who can help us. Let me call you back tomorrow.

They hang up. Irene takes a bottle of sleeping pills, and swallows its entire contents.

Lesson of the story. As Leni Robredo says, restraint is power. The mayor, blind with anger, made some instant decisions that led to the suicide of his daughter.

He could have solved the crisis easily, but he needed to calm down first. If he was calm, he would have seen that the love Irene and Jimmy had for each other was more important than reputation or career.