Korina after May 2016

You’re very tanned and looking fit, what have you been doing?

That was how I kicked off this exclusive Conversation with Korina Sanchez-Roxas one year and two months after the hotly-contested presidential elections in May last year.

Looking relaxed at the home she shares with husband, former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas and their dogs inside the Araneta Compound in Quezon City, dominated by the so-called White House, Korina broke into an all’s-right-with-my-world smile and said, “I really prefer to be dark. When I get pale, I panic. I went diving in Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea for a week during a ‘live abroad’ trip a few weeks ago. A lot of sun above water. A lot of amazing marine life under water. Wow. I would do it again. It was my second trip there and how it has flourished. It is a protected sanctuary now.”

Korina was in a talking mood.

“Aside from that, I’ve been very active because of my husband. He is into Pilates, a lot of walking and running, swimming, hiking, camping. Kaya ayan, nahihila ako, while my whole body hurts, hahahaha! I know I’m more fit and healthier this way. I can’t keep up with him, though. I do what I can.”

These days, the couple is taking it easy.

“Being a late sleeper,” continued Korina, “I usually wake up later than Mar who is an early sleeper. He’s in bed at around 9 or 10 while I stay awake watching my favorite TV series, The Americans, and I’m up mid-morning. But Mar has this habit of touching my nose to wake me up before he does his daily jog. Sometimes, if I don’t wake up pa, dinadaganan niya ako. Gusto niyang may kalaro, so sige. Hala, laro-laro kami.”

Asked if Mar talked in his sleep, Korina laughed.

“Yes, he does! Hinihintay ko nga na may sabihing pangalan ng babae, eh. So far, walang lumalabas. He mumbles kasi, eh.”

Every now and then, Korina revealed, they do shower together.

“We don’t have a bathtub but we have a nice shower…mainit, so it’s refreshing, invigorating.

On to a bit more serious topics.

You’re not on TV Patrol these days, what’s the plan? A lot are asking.

“Yes, I get a lot of that too, especially among my followers on social media. Before I took a leave for the campaign in 2016, I had a standing offer from Mr. Lopez to come back if we didn’t make it. But after the elections, I decided against coming back as an anchor. Masyado pang mainit. My husband ran against the incumbent. It doesn’t look nor feel right to be reading the news. I’ve spoken to my bosses about coming back as a reporter for nonpolitical news at the right time.

“For now, I’m focusing on our Sunday magazine show Rated K. I’m launching an interview show on ANC soon. And I’ve started work on a documentary on HIV/AIDS in the Philippines. It’s my first time to do long form and I’m excited about it.”

Why HIV/AIDS?

“It was the subject of my masteral thesis in my post-graduate studies in Ateneo. Well, the school now owns this study but I have used my research as basis for a TV production. My findings matched those of the World Health Organization. While statistics on new HIV patients had been declining over the years, there is a threat of a worldwide resurgence of the disease because of social media.

“You’ll have to watch the documentary how this is happening. In the Philippines, our numbers never went down. We are one of only nine remaining countries worldwide whose HIV cases continue to rise. It is an epidemic in specific parts of the country. I’ve done a trip to Bangkok recently to start on research. Thailand is one of the most successful in bringing down the numbers of HIV cases down to 90 percent.”

We don’t see you every day anymore but you’ve been busy?

“Yes, I’ve been very busy. But when people ask me, ‘Doing what?’ I can’t seem to give a straight answer, hahahaha! Ewan ko ba, parati akong hectic but doing different things every day. It’s probably why I can’t give a straight answer.”

Don’t you miss the daily grind?

“You know, there was a time not long ago when I did daily talk on AM radio (Tambalang Failon at Sanchez), daily field reporting (TV Patrol), daily newscast (Bandila), daily ANC (Korina Today), daily TV morning show (Morning Girls) — all at the same time. Well, that was no way to live. But I treasure that experience. It’s difficult for any one person to ever survive such a schedule.

“I see my behind-the-scenes TV Patrol family occasionally and I tell them that I, most of all, miss the people and not so much the daily makeup, daily dressing up in high heels, daily hairdo and the daily traffic rushing back to the station in the afternoon. I like being busy but I also like a break once in a while when I feel I need it. You can’t have that when you’re tied down to a daily show.

“But I’m not retiring from news. I think once a journalist, you always will be. Every other person is a journalist these days on social media. But for professionals like us, with the background and training of decades, you can’t let it go. I’ll be getting back in there soon enough. Sayang naman ang Master’s ko.”

Back to school for more journalism and communication after your experience? Why?

“The face of journalism is fast changing because of technology. I also decided to go back to school to keep my mind off, at that time, from the inevitability of campaigning again. It was too stressful a prospect. I believe in my husband and in the target. It’s just the many other things that go with the exercise that I didn’t savor.

“Studying preserved my sanity, kept me focused. By the time the campaign started, I was ready. By the time elections were over, I was a graduate. I offer my degree to my Mom and Dad who both always wanted me to do further studies.”

What lessons have you learned from the 2016 elections?

“The journey should just be as enriching as getting to the destination. No regrets if you believe in what you stand for and you gave it your best. Arguably, being the wife of a candidate, you invest more than others do. That’s a whole chapter I’ll have to write, though, hahahahaha! If you look at the life, for example, of journalist Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger and what she gave up for her husband’s gubernatorial bid...or say, all those Kennedy wives and the helplessness amidst the swirl of personalities all wanting a piece of your life with your husband... it ain’t easy.

“I’ve always led a full life — like there’s no tomorrow. And I was always the master of my cadence — while living in peace with others along the way. Sa kampanya and being support cast, there is always the threat of succumbing to surrendering your will. Nakakatakot. Yung balanse ang mahirap.

“So, one lesson is that you should never relinquish full control of your life to anyone. You have to be whole coming out of anything, as much as you can. Only you can determine whether you are victim or victor, and not by any other standard but yours.

“And life is what you say it is, live it as is.”

Have you lost friends?

“Mas marami naman ang nadagdag na kaibigan kaysa sa mga nalagas, hahahaha! So, suma-total, mas mahaba pa rin ang Christmas list ko ngayon. I try as much as possible not to burn bridges. I have many friends in all the camps. It doesn’t mean that if you don’t agree on everything, you’re banished from each other for eternity. It is about how you played the game…I guess? Would you want to play poker or golf with someone who cheats? Or makipag-basketball sa nambabalya? Or be friends with such persons?”

You’re described as Mar’s not-so-secret weapon...

“Naku, may mga kontra sa sinabi mong ‘yan. Pero sana nga naman nakatulong ako, I worked very, very hard. In any case, I commissioned a group to do a quantitative and qualitative survey conducted on myself before campaigning. My numbers were good nationwide. It said makakatulong ako. So, tumulong ako.”

Has Mar given up on politics?

“The way it’s looking, politics hasn’t given up on him. Naiintriga pa rin siya. But that’s the best thing about having carried out your duty on the straight and narrow; wala naman mahahanap dyan na mababato. Now, you’ll have to ask him yourself about his plans.

“Sa ngayon what I see is he is enjoying everything he missed out on, all those decades he was in office. Congressman, Senador, Cabinet Secretary to three presidents. Ngayon sa bahay, nood ng sine, cheap thrills, out-of-town trips, exercise, outdoor activities, mga pamangkin niyang bagets ang barkada niya, kaya ayan, change of wardrobe…feeling young and pogi si husband these days, hahahaha!

“Pag may delubyo ang bansa worried pa rin siya, tumutulong sa local, tumutulong sa partido. But nothing cast in stone right now regarding getting back on the political saddle.”

How are your mom-in-law and your stepson Paolo?

“One of the strongest persons I know is my mother-in-law Judy Roxas. Grace and silent strength in whatever circumstance. She’s smart and loves a good laugh. And she so loves my pet dog Kolette. If I were a dog, I would want her to be my owner, hahahahaha! I wish her to live forever.

“Paolo graduated this year and that was such a heart-warming and proud moment when Mar attended his son’s graduation at Yale. And we had fun on that trip. Paolo is super smart. I have to be on my toes when conversing with him. He will surely go places. But more important is that he has a good heart.”

What’s your typical day like now?

“I try to keep my shooting days for Rated K to two full days for an episode. The third day is for meeting and brainstorming with the staff.

“I try to keep all my mornings free to put my life in order. Kasi, since 30 years ago, my broadcasts have always been daily. Sinisingit ko ang personal life ko and okay naman — but not really, you know? Many loopholes, many improvements that could be done, better ways of doing things, cost cutting like having our family home refurbished. For two years, I couldn’t even visit the home my parents built. Ayan, ang daming aayusin!

“The gardens! Oh I love gardening, I love plants. So I’ve been replanting and making frequent trips to Manila Seedling or Bulacan. Because the gardens have become...yikes.

“My family…hay, my nephews have grown up and my nieces mga dalaga na. I’m trying to make a contribution to the way they think, decide, especially knowing now what I didn’t know then. I see them more now. I’m planning financial literacy sessions for the family.”

I heard that you are also into saving animals.

“I’ve been very immersed and committed to saving dogs and cats from abandon, neglect or cruelty. I surprised even myself with how I find such nourishment from helping the animals. I’ve been helping humans all my life and I’m not taking anything away from that. But I’m realizing animal welfare remains uphill in this country.

“I often go where I’m needed. Kung siksikan na dyan...dito naman ako. I’m heartened to find out that so many people love the animals. They just don’t know how to care for them or help others care, too. I’ve rescued dogs from irresponsible backyard breeders, abusive owners, from the streets, from local pounds. I rehabilitate them in clinics and then ‘re-home’ them, have them adopted. Sobra ang naging abono ko! So I decided to put up a foundation that helps other foundations. We raise funds now. I see myself doing this all my life. We’ve helped a lot. It is very encouraging.”

How’s your “slippers” project?

“From giving away slippers to children who need them, and still going strong. I’ve also started my artificial-legs campaign. I saw how giving a prosthetic leg to a legless child can boost the child’s confidence, self-esteem…even their dreams for the future drastically change to bigger possibilities. On my birthday, I sold a gold watch I never used... I bought 50 artificial legs for 50 legless children we chose nationwide. This gave so much more meaning to my birthday.”

What about time for and with Mar?

“And, of course, busy with hubby. Bonding. And finding out so much more about each other than all the years combined because now we see each other more hours every day. We are also often on some trip or activity. Because of him, I now know how to swim, finally, hahahaha! Hindi na ako malulunod sa dagat.

“So, you know, in a nutshell, I’m good, life is good. It is the perfect time to slow down a bit on some things in my life — but go on a higher gear on others. I’m just as busy, even busier, hectic sometimes. This time, busy on what truly, essentially matters to me.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)