Woem of Allure 2018 (Part 2) : Berna Romulo-Puyat

On her own

MANILA, Philippines — A reputable name is worth more than all the riches in the world. It sounds like a cliché until you meet Berna Romulo-Puyat, the secretary of tourism.

From the Romulo clan that puts dignity to public service, Berna maintained an unsullied reputation in the almost 12 years she was agriculture undersecretary. She was in charge of the country’s agribusiness, promotion of local products and organic agriculture.

At the DA, Berna, who, before the passing of her husband Dave Puyat in 2010, admits to being a creature of comfort, found herself in the fields around the country, relating with farmers under the sun, helping them in marketing their produce.

“On May 8, at 4:30 p.m., I was in Malacañang because I accompanied former Sen. Serge Osmeña for a meeting with the President. Of course, I took it as an opportunity to discuss with President Duterte a written agenda for the next National Food Authority council meeting.

“He read the paper. It was already the second draft. Like the first draft, he read it like an editor. He’s very meticulous.”

After that, Berna recalls, President Duterte put down the paper and asked her, “Have you heard Wanda (Teo, former tourism secretary) is no longer with the Department of Tourism?” She answered, “I read about it.”

Berna remembers the President telling her, “Alam mo, bagay sa iyo ang position. You’ve been in government for so long and there’s no corruption issue about you. The way you are, bagay sa iyo ang DOT position. Do you want it, Berna?”

“Binibiro mo ako,” she told the President. But the President was not joking. Apparently, when he was still mayor of Davao City, Duterte asked Berna if she ever wanted to become the agriculture secretary, “because you also fit the job.” She said no but added that, if ever, she wanted to become the tourism secretary. “And the President remembered that, even if we discussed it in the past. He told me, ‘Remember, a long time ago, that was what you wanted. Take the job. You’re very credible’.”

So, on May 8 at 5 p.m., Berna was appointed the secretary of tourism, took her oath on May 14, started working at the Department of Tourism on May 15 and, on May 30, after six minutes, was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

Included in her short-term plans is the continuous use of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan of the DOT. For long-term, included is the promotion of sustainable tourism “with more responsible tourists.” She names the Top 5 countries that  love the Philippines: Korea, China, the US, Japan and Australia.

She works hard to hit the target of 7.4 million tourist arrivals in the country by the end of the year. When Boracay closed in April, people started trooping to other breathtaking destinations like LU or La Union, Siargao, Bohol and Mactan. “But Boracay will open on Oct. 26.”

At the end of her frenzied day at work, Berna comes home to the warm embrace of her daughter Maia, 22, a writer. She also gets to talk on Viber to her son Vito, 21, who is graduating next month from the Newcastle University in London with a degree in Psychology with Honors, minor in Neuroscience.

For two years now, she has had a steady relationship with Charlie Cojuangco, who, because Berna has been busy at the DOT, good naturedly “sets an appointment” with the secretary so they would see each other. Asked the state of her heart, she answered, “Contented.”

Berna comes from the family who knows how to genuinely love each other and celebrate each other’s accomplishment. “One good thing that came out from my being secretary now is that it brought a smile to my father’s (former Foreign Affairs and Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo’s) face. Ever since the passing of my sister Lupe last November, Dad has been crying every day. He is smiling now,” says the loving daughter of her dad, who taught her to always protect the Romulo name. Her mom Lovely taught her to always be supportive of her loved ones.

In a chance meeting with the Romulo patriarch on his way to visit the crypt of Lupe in Makati, Allure asked him if he would give advice to Berna now that she is secretary of tourism. “No,” he said with a smile. “She is on her own because she is her own person. I am just a flower vase.”

Berna is on her own. And on her own she will prove her mettle. The lady secretary is not known to disappoint when it comes to public service. *