Know Your VP Candidates: What Family Time Is Like For Them

After their heated but informative vice presidential debate on April 10 at the University of Santo Tomas, we got to know our vice presidential candidates better and saw a glimpse of their stand on national issues. 

This time, we take a look at what they do when they're not donning their political hats and are just being ordinary citizens at home. After all, once the election fever settles, they will all still be just men and women who put family as their top priorities.

1. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano

Photo from facebook.com/alanpetercayetano

Here's a throwback photo of Senator Pia Cayetano (left) and her younger brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

In one of her blog posts, she related, 'When I was four years old, my brother Alan Peter S. Cayetano was born. Alan's namesake is an older gentleman who took in my father Rene Cayetano as an employee which eventually led him to grad school in the University of Michigan. Peter is my grandfather's name.'

Photo from facebook.com/alanpetercayetano 

Sen. Alan Cayetano is the second among four siblings, and is the third in the family to pursue politics. He's been married to Lani, who is mayor of Taguig City, for 12 years. This photo is with his siblings, in-laws, and two of his nieces and nephews.


2. Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero

 
Photo from @iamhearte/Instagram

Through his wife Heart Evangelista's Instagram, we get glimpses of Senator Chiz Escudero's family life. He has two kids, fraternal twins Chesi and Quino, from his first marriage.

Photo from @heart021485/Instagram 

Chesi and Quino stay with the Senator, who, in between his tight schedule, finds time to bond with the entire family.


3. Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan II

Photo from @kaihonasan/Instagram

Senator Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan II is a father to five children.

Kai Honasan, who was part of the second season of The Voice Philippines, is thankful for the way their father raised them.

In a recent Instagram post for his dad's birthday, she wrote: 'I'm glad you allowed us to find our own footing.

'I'm grateful to you for the shot at developing a personality above all else, despite the knowledge that who you are will always be too big of a shadow to overcome.

'Thanks for letting us be free to be funny. This is our saving grace.'

His son Martin is married to singer Barbie Almabis (second from left, seated).

The vice presidential aspirant is also a doting grandfather to his four grandchilren.


4. Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.


Photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. has three sons Sandro, Simon, and Vincent with lawyer Louise Araneta-Marcos. Sandro (left), a political science student in London, once represented his father to a university forum about the Bangsamoro Basic Law. 

 
Photo from @bongbongmarcos/Instagram 

During his free time, one of Bongbong's preferred activities to relax is cooking.


5. Rep. Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona-Robredo

 
Photo from @lenirobredo/Instagram 

Congresswoman Leni Robredo underlined in her closing remarks during the debate among vice presidential candidates that she is a mother who would never leave behind her children.

In all her major decisions, she consults them first. 

Photo from @lenirobredo/Instagram

Through thick and thin, Leni and her daughters Aika, Tricia, and Jillian are a formidable team.


6. Sen. Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV 

 
Photos screencapped from Youtube 

Independent vice presidential candidate Senator Antonio Trillanes IV admitted in an interview with GMA News TV's Power House in 2012, that his family is used to him not being around because of his line of work with the Navy.

He is married to fellow Philippine Military Academy graduate Arlene Orejana. They were blessed with three kids, but only two are living (the third child died 21 days after birth). The Senator referred to this chapter as the lowest point of his life. 


This story originally appeared on Pep.ph.

* Minor edits have been made by the Smartparenting.com.ph editors.   

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