Pia Cayetano: Bringing glam to sports and the Senate

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Pia Cayetano does not wear high heels. Not because she doesn’t like them, but because she doesn’t want to stand out as she already literally stands head and shoulders above the rest — men and women both — with her 5’8” frame.

One time she had a pictorial with her brothers, and stylist Liz Uy had her wear high heels. Pia loved the shoes, but when the pictures came out, she looked taller than her brothers. So she told Liz, “Ether you find me beautiful shoes like yours but not with the high heels or find me a guy who will be taller than me when I wear these.” Liz said, “Ay, hanap na lang kita ng shoes.”

When it comes to dress shoes, Pia isn’t too talkative; it is when she is talking about her running shoes that she is most animated. How she feels at home in her new trail shoes running through nature. And with a laugh, a new bragging right: “Sorry, I only do trails now.”

Confessions of a non-shopper: Pia Cayetano is all glammed up in a Mia Orquico gown. “I am definitely socially active. I believe in love. I think love enhances a person. Having said that, if you have the opportunity to fall in love I think that’s wonderful. I know women my age who say, ‘Okay na ako sa ganito.’ I’m like, no, I would like to find a partner.”

Born to the late Senator Rene Cayetano and American mother Sandra Schramm who met at the University of Michigan in the 1960s, Pia remembers a childhood of going to the San Juan market with her white mother looking for whole-wheat flour. Her mother, an educator, put up one of the early Montessori schools in the country once she had settled in the country of her husband.  

“I’m really a product of my parents,” Pia says. “I have the drive of my dad, his standard of excellence, but then my mom was a working mom. I’m a very devoted mother and I don’t think I could do this without having seen that in my mom. She’s very kind-hearted and warm.”

Though she’s comfortable in her own skin, Pia dresses conservatively in the Senate and in public places — for the past months, she’s been into grays and blacks. A sweater, a skirt, a belt.

In the races, she cuts a sexy figure with her running attire. Pink singlet, black compression tights or sometimes shorts. Many runners try to pace with her or run just behind her only to lag behind as the kilometers are piled up. Because Pia — as feminine as any woman can get — is a strong runner.

In 2008, she finished the Amsterdam Marathon in 4:00:01 —one second short of her sub-4 goal; just months before that, she did her second New York Marathon. In 2006, she did a crazy thing — she did two marathons two weeks apart. First was Venice (4:13), then she flew back to Manila, and then flew again this time to New York (4:13).

Pia started running when she was on the UP varsity team for volleyball. Part of their training was running around the oval, but she so enjoyed that she would do an extra 5k once in a while. Throughout law school, running was her way to de-stress.

“During the bar exam when everybody said you’ll go crazy, you’ll get fat, I was running. I even got typhoid fever from bad water during a race a month before the exam. My dad was so upset because I was his first child to become a lawyer.”

She ran her first marathon in 1991, (PAL Marathon), after which she said, “Never again!” After 11 years, after her nine-month-old baby passed away from the rare disease trisomy 13 in 2001, she decided, maybe running would help her. So she trained and ran the San Francisco Marathon. Like the first marathon, she told herself, “Never again!”

But she has come back to a full mary — many times over.

Easy style: Crochet cardigan from Mango. “I like to be casual but I have to also wear the appropriate attire,” says Pia.

The elusive sub-4 may soon be achieved as she is training even more now with a new passion: triathlon. She had been doing duathlons (run and bike) for years on the encouragement of her brother Lino. Then her coach told her she’d enjoy triathlons. “The year 2007 was like my ‘debut’ in triathlon. I was joining short tris in 2006. Then in 2007 I did my first Olympic, my 70.3, and my first Ironman in Australia. Since then I’ve been doing tris. And now I’m doing Xterra tris, which are off-road triathlons. They had one last month, my friends and I went, and we qualified for the world championship in Maui, Hawaii. I’m so excited.”

This love of sports was her father’s way to discipline his children. Pia says he was very strict and all three boys — Allan, Ren, Lino — and herself were scared of him. “His whole theory was, you have to study hard and your break is sports. He would say, ‘If I catch you drinking or doing drugs, you’re dead. But you can do all the sports you want.’ My dad was very encouraging, which is why I ended up in varsity team in college and I graduated cum laude. For me, that was the standard that he set. Study hard, play, do well in both. And if you enjoy it, you’ll really excel.”

Biker girl: Pia wears a mango tank top over her tights. “I feel that I have to be always comfortable. I grew up a tomboy when I was young. That hasn’t changed.” The Senator recently qualified for the world championship of Xterra triathlon in Maui, Hawaii. She also recently bought her first tri bike. Photos by FERNAN NEBRES

There is one more thing that Senator Pia Cayetano is determined to see to the finish: the RH bill, of which is a supporter. It is one of the most divisive bills this country has ever seen (oh, but wait till she files the divorce bill), but Pia always voices her arguments in her own quiet way.

Jokes about being ex-communicated by the Vatican are thrown around but then she turns serious with one plea: Listen. And keep an open mind.

Excerpts:

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Describe your fashion style.

PIA CAYETANO: Number one, I feel that I have to be always comfortable. I grew up a tomboy when I was young. That hasn’t changed. Even when I’m in the Senate I don’t like to feel stiff, I want to be able to move with what I’m wearing. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve always been tall, but I tend to downplay my outfits because I don’t like to stand out. My friends, my staff have to convince me, that’s nice, wear that. And I’m like “Masyado yatang kita ang braso ko o ang legs ko” kasi by nature mahaba talaga ako.

But then with running and triathlon, you actually wear short shorts. I’m not nahihiya in that because that’s actually my comfort zone. And because I’m a senator, around my area in Alabang I can walk in a mini skirt, but I can’t do that, say, in SM MOA. So my position kind of impinges on my style because I like to be casual, but I have to also wear the appropriate attire.

In the races, I see your outfits and they’re sexy.

Yeah, but not very revealing. If my friends are all wearing sleeveless, and I’m wearing the exact same thing, I feel masyado akong nagpapa-pansin kasi nga I’m tall and people notice me. So I tend to be conservative.

Where did you get your height? From your dad or mom?

Both. My dad is actually one of the shortest in his family, my grandfather is a six-footer. My mom and her family are actually quite tall.

What do you wear to the Senate?

Her bike gloves and helmets (below). After doing duathlons (run-bike) for years, she shifted to triathlon.

I do have suits, but I tend to prefer less stiff outfits. I put together my own outfits. I mix and match a lot. Right now, I’m into grays and blacks and browns. Prior to that I was into pink and blue. The first six years I used to wear a lot of Thai silk, I do like bright colors. And parang I’m rebelling against that naman. That’s what’s nice about being a girl. Now, I like to wear very soft fabrics like sweaters. I’ll wear a gray long-sleeved sweater with a gray skirt and a belt. It’s cold in the Senate eh. And I’m into cheap costume jewelry. I don’t spend a lot of money on jewelry and shoes.

BA matter of course: With her daughters Maxine and Nadine at the all-women 5th Pinay in Action race

So what do you spend on?

My sports, because that’s my passion, and my kids.

You’re a triathlete (swim, bike and run). What’s your most expensive bike?

For many years, I had only one bike. I’m not maluho in the sense that a typical girl has a lot of bags, and if I say I spend on my sport, I don’t have a lot of bikes. My biking shoes have been with me for five years, kailangan na ngang palitan. Shopping is not my thing, I buy out of necessity. I will buy nice stuff because I probably won’t buy another one for a long time. Lately, I’ve gotten into mountain biking and I do have a mountain bike now, too.

I remember in CamSur, at the first Ironman in 2009, we saw the bike cases of the foreign pros, I was told those cases alone were hundreds of thousands each.

Right, we first met in CamSur, I didn’t even have a tri bike back then, I just had a road bike. A lot of the serious athletes have a road bike and a tri bike. I finally bought a tri bike after the second election lang. Actually, matipid ako. I was happy with my bike, and I’m the kind that if it ain’t broke, why replace it? But I’m happy I did because I’m actually training and racing through…I don’t like to call it an injury because it might be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Let’s just say I have a condition and the tri bike position puts less stress on my hamstring, so I decided to do it more for medical reasons. I can still do my sport but not put too much bugbog on my body.

Which is more challenging, Ironman (concrete for the bike and run) or Xterra (trail)?

Trail is more exciting for me now and it’s so nice, because you’re really in nature.

My running friends put up Corregidor International Marathon last year, the route goes through a forest.

Wow, tell me when the next one is. I’m so mayabang now, I say, “Sorry, I only do trails now (laughs).”

That incline can go up to 40 percent.

Ah, maglalakad ka na lang talaga doon. I celebrated my birthday in Baguio a few weeks ago. Nagkataon lang, totally unplanned, there was a race in Camp John Hay. It was all trail — my friends and I loved it. We biked, then we partied all night, and after two hours of sleep, we ran and I loved it. I love nature, I used to climb mountains.

How do you balance your life as a mom, senator and athlete?

Accessorizing for the road: Pia’s Newtons running shoes

You know, I was brought up this way. I’ve been like this my whole life. In school, I was a dedicated member of my team, a captain ball. I trained with the Philippine team in volleyball, I was the youngest member. And I graduated with honors. So for me….that’s just what I do. 

You say you’re not a shopper.

I do shop when I’m abroad for a couple of reasons. One, I’m not typical Filipino size. Until a lot of these imported brands came in, hirap ako to shop. Nagiging large ako, but my waist naman is not large. Now as a senator, I don’t have time naman to shop. The little time I have, I’d rather go with my kids to help them choose for themselves. I’m matipid, I don’t do expensive brands.

What about for bags and shoes, what are your favorites?

I really don’t have favorites. But I do have a few. When my dad was alive he’d buy me and my mom. Over the years, my brother has given me some bags. I do like Kate Spade. I have a few others that were given to me. I’m the kind of person who, if I have one white, one black, one brown, I’m good.

What about running shoes, what do you run with?

Now, I run with Newtons, I’m sponsored by the brand. I’m happy to be sponsored by it because I really like the shoes. I’m running in Newton Trail now. 

Did you have to adjust with Newtons because the mid-sole is raised.

I liked it right away. I particularly like the trail shoes. (Laughs) I can talk more about those kind of shoes than others. My other limitation pala with shoes is that I really can’t wear heels. Liz Uy, who’s a friend of mine, she has beautiful heels. When I wore her shoes and we did a pictorial with my brothers, I was taller than my brothers! Parang I can’t date naman if I was that tall. So I told Liz, either you find me beautiful shoes like yours but not with the high heels or find me a guy who will be taller than me when I wear these. She said, “Ay, hanap na lang kita ng shoes.”

Is that limiting as far as dating is concerned?

I don’t want to be mababaw naman about it. How can you make a decision based on height? But it does give you a first impression, doesn’t it? It’s awkward. It kinda is limiting. I would surmise that if I met the perfect guy and he’s shorter…well, hasn’t happened.

Senator, you’re separated?

Yes, a long time na.

Are you dating?

How do I say this…I am definitely socially active. I believe in love. I think love enhances a person. Having said that, if you have the opportunity to fall in love I think that’s wonderful. I think everybody has the opportunity to fall in love. Some people seek it more than others and I am one of those who would seek it. I know women my age who say, “Okay na ako sa ganito.” I’m like, no, I would like to find a partner. I’m happy without a partner, but I think life would be nice with the right partner. Not the wrong one, definitely not the wrong one.

How old are you?

Forty-five. 

You look young. Could it be because of all the exercise?

There’s a whole theory about it. With runners, it showed they’re aging slower. It has to do with the telomere or a region of repetitive DNA, and running may slow down telomere shortening or aging.

You’re also an endorser of Anlene.

Yes, I support the concern and have the same advocacy as Anlene (preventing osteoporosis). In the same way that I am also outspoken on breast cancer, cervical cancer and bone. Those are three women-specific health concerns.

Did you practice law after the bar?

Yes I did, until I became a senator.

With your dad?

Not with him. It was my dad’s dream that I practice law with him. Pinapaligawan niya ako sa mga lawyers niya, kasi yung isang associate who was a bar top-notcher was my sorority sister in Delta Lambda Sigma. I didn’t want my dad to be my boss. I was practicing in a law office about three buildings from his. I still saw him, I went home with him every day — kami pa rin, but I just didn’t work for him (laughs).  

How many years did you practice?

I was in a law office for almost four years, then I worked for a private company for another four years. Then I got pregnant and we found out my son Gabriel had serious congenital problems, so I went on leave. I was told he would be born dead. Then he was born and lived for nine months, so all that time I was working on my business, I didn’t go back to being a corporate in-house lawyer anymore. I used to have these baby stores called Maxi Bears and toys called Maxi Toys. My law practice was limited to helping my dad with his TV show and writing his column in which he gave legal advice.

HWorthy cause: An endorser for Anlene adult milk, Pia supports osteoporosis prevention, and women-specific diseases such as breast and cervical cancer.

How did your son change you?

I learned to take things a day at a time. My son’s condition was such that any day he could be dead. Ninety percent of babies with trisomy 13 die within a month. A lot of them die stillborn. With that kind of prognosis, you don’t expect much. So every day, I was, oh wow, he’s alive. Can you believe being happy that your son didn’t need oxygen when he was born? For nine months, our life was that Gabriel would be seemingly normal for three days, then he’d get pneumonia and he’d be on antibiotics for two weeks. You have a bad today, tomorrow you hope it’s going to be better.

Were you able to bring him home?

No, he lived in the hospital all his life. Five months in the neonatal unit, and four months in his own room. My two girls — Maxine and Nadine — would just come to visit. I was prepared for him to pass away. But at some point, after three or four months, the doctor said, parang magsu-survive ang anak mo. There are parents with babies who survive longer. I was e-mailing with somebody whose child was already six years old. I said, maybe my son would be one of those rare ones. I had hope. I think that’s what defines me now. My son taught me: You can’t choose what kind of life you’re given, but you can choose how to deal with it.

After seven years in the Senate, are you still a hopeful person?

Yes, I still am. Again, you take each day at a time. You look at the good you’re able to do. Like kanina I went swimming, one of the trabahador goes up to me and says, “Ma’am pahingi ng tulong niyo, yung anak ko nasa PGH.” I put my funds in PGH. During the time of GMA she never released our funds — well, she did, siguro 10 percent of our funds. Now, under President Noynoy Aquino, our funds are released. Now, I can help this person because my funds are in PGH. Small things like that. The first two years I wasn’t sure if I regretted it, but now I don’t.

What don’t you like about being in the Senate?

Just like in any profession, you meet your share of people that make you wonder if they were brought up well by their parents. To my mind, it is a job that requires a fair degree of technical expertise. It’s legislative work. I’m not saying that everyone there should be a lawyer. But I understand the law and it can get frustrating that they’re debating issues because may mga interest. I take my job seriously, I research it, I look for the legal basis for it, I look at the practices in other countries. It’s usually the human factor that makes it difficult.

Was it easy to get the Magna Carta for Women passed?

There was a bit of difficulty. I was an author, which means I was the first to file the bill, but I wasn’t the chair of the committee on women at the time. There was some resistance because anytime you talk of women’s rights, it’s so sad that a lot of conservatives will automatically be looking at what rights we are giving women that will disrupt the flow of things. Which means anything that gives women access to health care services, takot na takot na sila, may mga kailangang i-delete diyan kasi baka reproductive health yan.

It’s always like that. I’m a fan of history, particularly British history. I feel like I’m thrown back to that period when the Church was burning people at the stake, how women who were traditional medicine women were burned for being witches.

It feels like that for you at times?

It feels like that now because of the RH bill. I’m the chairperson hearing the RH bill. Whether you’re pro or against the RH bill, we’re all talking about protecting the unborn child because there is no one promoting abortion in this country. But having said that, when you are against reproductive health, you are now denying women health care. Everyone lobbying against RH, these are not people who have lived in the slums, in the boondocks where there are no doctors or midwives. The RH bill ensures that there are birthing centers and qualified midwives in every corner of the country. It’s actually protecting the unborn child because you are ensuring that they are born healthy. And you’re also ensuring that their mothers will be alive when they give birth. Right now, we are lagging behind compared to our Asian neighbors in MGD 5, which is maternal mortality.

Pino-politicize natin ang RH bill when women don’t have access to midwives, to professionals. We don’t have a system where they are taught family planning openly — it depends on the barangay captain, on the mayor. So how are you protecting the rights of the unborn child when he is born to a malnourished mother who lives 100 kilometers away from a health center? How do you protect his right to be born with a mother, because 11 mothers die every day giving birth because of lack of maternal and prenatal care?

So, 11 orphans are born every day?

Yes, 11 plus kung ilan pa ang siblings niya! Pano kung sampu kayo, aalagaan kayo ng tatay niyo? Paano, he has to work pa to feed his children. I can get furious about this issue because people who do not have these life issues do not look at the other side.

What’s the stand of Malacañang on the RH bill?

I was told the President hasn’t changed his position, but they took it out of the priority bills, siguro to appease the Church.

When The STAR did the 2010 presidentiable interviews before the elections, Noynoy Aquino’s stand was pro RH bill.

Our President has the rare opportunity to make difficult decisions because people believe in him and will support him. If he says, “Trust me, this will do us good. Trust me, I will protect the unborn child. Let’s do this.” Eh di tapos na. But instead, what happens is we have to fend for ourselves. Fine, that’s my job, but like life, the more support you have, the easier it is to get things done.

You think you’ll win this battle?

I’ve been asked if I’ve done a headcount, but I don’t do my work that way. As the chairperson, I have to hear it, then I have to sponsor it. When we get close I’ll try to figure out if there are people I need to explain this more to. What I ask na lang is to have an open mind. Listen to my debate, listen to my explanations. We all come in naman with our biases, I cannot change that, but what I will request is to listen to the reasons why I believe it should be supported.