A PASSION FOR POLITICS: THE BETTER HALF
[PHOTO - Partners in serving the people: Rep. Kimi and Mark Cojuangco (photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)MANILA, Philippines]
MANILA, JANUARY 15, 2011 (BULLETIN) By MA. GLAIZA LEE - Once upon a time, in the verdant plains of Dagupan, Pangasinan, there lived a simple and charming maiden named Maria Carmen "Kimi" Schulze.
The granddaughter of the owners of the Pangasinan Transportation Company (PANTRANCO) who originally hailed from Ilocos region, the beautiful maiden usually spent her vacations in the province. Although she would only have a passing stay, she had already fallen in love with the simplicity and rusticity of the place.
Meanwhile, in the distant countryside of Sison, a naughty young man, named Marcos Bruno "Mark" Cojuangco, was having fun with his friends. They would go hiking in the rolling hills, swimming in the pond, and playing in the grassy area.
The son of prominent business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, Mark just loved to spend his free time in Sison. There was even a time when a helicopter had to fetch him and bring him to school because he had overspent his weekend in the province and was already late for his first class.
Every now and then, he would take a short trip to Sison and watch their "kingdom" - the Northern Cement Corporation, grow. In 1966, his father decided to venture out from their hometown in Paniqui, Tarlac, to find his place under the sun, so to speak. Because the senior Cojuangco's cousin had already set his eyes on Tarlac, Mark's father decided to go up north and build his empire there. Since then, Mark frequently visited Sison.
On their first encounter, however, he certainly didn't make a good impression on her.
Uninvited and unexpected, Mark went to Kimi's house and spent an entire day there, even though it was the first time Kimi ever saw him. He had just come back from Australia where he finished his secondary education. His cousins, who knew Kimi, brought him along to her house so that he could meet her.
"My then-boyfriend and I were having dinner, and Mark was there hanging out in our living room. I have never seen him in my life. My then-boyfriend kept looking at Mark, and asking me who he was. I said, I didn't know. Mark didn't leave. He was just there watching us. And my boyfriend kept saying, 'Are you sure? You don't know the guy?'" shares Kimi who is the incumbent congresswoman of the 5th District of Pangasinan.
Smitten with her beauty, Mark did everything to get her contact information. Soon, he started calling and writing letters to her. "Stalking, you mean?" Kimi interjects, teasing her husband Mark.
Two years later, long after Kimi and her then-boyfriend had broken up, their paths crossed again, this time, on purpose.
Kimi went out on a date in Circuit, the popular disco place back then. Conveniently and suspiciously, Mark was also there. At one point, Kimi excused herself from her date and went to the bathroom. Mark followed her there and waited for her outside the bathroom door.
"Paglabas ko, he was standing at the doorway. He told me, 'You're not minding me?' and I said, 'I'm not minding you? Why should I mind you?' We kept on arguing. He even sat with me at the table. I told him that I would not go out with him if he still has a girlfriend," shares Kimi.
So, the next day, Mark gathered all the pictures, gifts, and other stuff that his girlfriends gave him, and made a bonfire out of them. "I went to her house, showed her the burnt items, and said, 'Here. Now, do you believe me? She just looked at the burnt things and then at me," says Mark, a former congressman who authored and supported the controversial House Bill to re-commission the commercial operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
And their love story began. She was 18, and he was 22. They got married when Mark was 25 and Kimi was 23, on December 22, 1982. They are blessed with three children: Danielle, 26, Paola, 25, and Eduardo, 21.
Everything was smooth-sailing until a political event made a huge impact on their lives - The EDSA People Power Revolution.
Even before Mark was born, the Cojuangcos were already one of the most influential and powerful families in the Philippines. They were prominent in the economic and political arenas.
In 1976, Mark followed his ancestors' footsteps and tried his hand at politics. At 19, he ran for barangay captain in Brgy. Matalapitap in Paniqui. He won and served his constituents. But that time, Mark was still so young that he didn't know the implications of the position. Truth be told, he just did it to impress Kimi.
But in 2001, everything changed. It could be that he found his calling. Their exile after the EDSA Revolution which toppled the Marcos regime helped Mark find a different perspective and a purpose. So, when the possibility to run for office presented itself, Mark decided to aspire for a government position in Pangasinan.
And being the supportive wife, Kimi encouraged Mark and even assisted him in his projects. "When he won in the congressional election, I became active in the Congressional Spouses. As his wife, I had a choice: to be active in Manila or in Pangasinan. I chose to stay in Pangasinan and help our constituents."
And before she knew it, their constituents clamored for her to run in the mayoralty election. Mark was on his second term when they started planning for her candidacy. And on his third term as congressman, Kimi became the mayor of Sison.
On entering politics:
He said: My outlook then was not the same when I decided to run as congressman. Di ko pa nare-realize 'yung implications ng position. Not unlike when I ran in 2001, I wanted to bring change. Iba 'pag bata ka pa. Iba 'pag may experience ka na. Iba 'pag may pananaw ka na sa buhay. Before 1986, we were in a very privileged position. Then, 1986 came. We were exiled for five years. It enlightened us on both sides of the coin, so to speak. That kind of experience could make you realize that the position of privilege should not be wasted. Life is too short. Opportunities are so fleeting.
She said: I was quite active in the Congressional Spouses when he became a congressman. Before I knew it, on his second term, the people wanted me to become their mayor. So, I packed my bag, left Manila, and lived there as a mayor for three years. I was really a full-time mom and wife. But all of a sudden, my children grew up and studied abroad. So, I think, that was the best time because I'm the type of person who likes to keep doing something.
On what politics does to their relationship:
He said: It drives us together. Since I was already there, we have to maximize our resources and abilities to see what we can do. Mahirap naman if I'm in politics and my wife is interested in something else. We now have common interests. We do our projects together and be of service to our people. We're together in the province. We go home and talk about our projects.
She said: It is good for our relationship. It is a blessing. We can now do things together. So there is never a dull moment between us. When I experienced an empty nest syndrome, I was sad. But when this fell into my lap, I found a new mission. We found another common ground.
On being parents to their children, Danielle, Paola, and Eduardo:
He said: She did a good job in raising them properly. I wasn't always available. But because of my wife, they turned out to be good people. Aside from being career-oriented people and having done great in school, they are good people. They know how to build good relationship with other people, regardless of their status and background. They were never flighty. They're kind and simple. One thing I regret is not finishing my studies because most doors are closed for you. Kahit alam mo more than 'yung may college degree, pero dahil wala ka 'nung papel , sasara 'yung pintuan sa'yo. That's one of the life lessons that I tell my kids.
She said: I told them when they were growing up: "What you have to remember is to find out who you really are and what your talents are. Erase your family name Cojuangco. Forget that. Find out what you're good at as a person." I don't want them to grow up spoiled. I want them to get satisfaction from life, and not from material things.
On the secret to their 28 years of blissful married life:
He said: Partnership. Understanding. Patience. Companionship is important after a certain stage in married life. Being together is most important, not just physically, but also in your goals and the things you do. She's my barkada, kaibigan, soulmate, kakwentuhan, partner. 'Pag wala siya sa tabi ko, I feel incomplete. I'm a quiet person kasi. She's a lively person. Siya ang nagdala ng saya sa buhay ko.
She said: He's a very loving husband. He allowed me to be a mother, even if my attention was divided between him and the children. We still go out on dates. We watch movies, and still hold hands in the movie house. We love to eat and cook. We go to the beach house and bond. What's cute about him is that he's so quiet. He reads a lot because he likes to read and does all these computer stuff, and he doesn't mind me when I'm around. But when I go out, he keeps looking for me. Our maid would tell me that Mark keeps asking for me. When I go upstairs and ask him why he was looking for me and yet when I'm around he wouldn't mind me because he was just reading. And he'd say, "Okay lang. Basta marinig ko lang boses mo."
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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