Larger than life

Remember those individuals in college who caught your attention – rather, everyone’s attention – because they were bold, brazen, and simply dared to be themselves? That was Gene Rose Dalisay Tecson to me.
I was fresh out of an all-girl high school run by a conservative order, and so was kinda old-fashioned when I got to college. I was lucky enough to get admitted into the volleyball varsity team, and luckier to have met Gene Rose who was our co-captain.
Being young and new on campus, I wore jogging pants to volleyball practice like the other freshmen. I was mortified to see Gene wearing the shortest shorts I’ve ever seen worn on campus. By today’s standards, Gene’s then short-shorts as I would call them, are pretty decent. But back then, it was too daring, but then again, that’s just me.
Off court Gene came across as a fun, uninhibited, and go-for-it student. She broke unwritten rules and did what most women back then would never openly do, like watch girly shows with her barkada for fun or, well, those short shorts…
On court she was all business, one of the highest jumpers and hardest hitting spikers. As our co-captain, she was supportive, inspiring, and committed to the team. It was a side of her that I liked first.
Even back then Gene was larger than life. Her presence filled the Brebeuf office when she was around, her unbridled laughter infectious, her proud stance and confident demeanor making her stand out from the rest.
She appeared to be a typical well-heeled ‹tusuk tusok the fishball› collegiala, coming from a reputable college in Manila. But she was also such a tomboy she could march towards a group of men and they would part to give her way. She was a breath of fresh air.
I wasn’t used to such strong women like Gene, but the more I got to know her, the more I liked what I saw. She wasn›t scared to look silly when goofing around, which she liked doing a lot. She spoke her mind when she had something to say, regardless of what naysayers would say. It was wonderful to watch her strong character affect and infect those around her.
Gene did not kowtow; giving in to convention wasn’t her cup of tea. She was her own person, and nobody dared tell her otherwise. With her there was no pretense, no put-on persona, just take-me-as-I-am Gene Rose. Yet despite all these, she was firmly grounded. Regardless of who you were, she made you feel welcome.
When Gene graduated, she took some of the campus buzz with her; there was just no one with Gene›s effervescent presence (well, except for her sister Pia, but that›s another exceptional story). When she settled down, she transformed into an adoring wife and mother whose life revolved around her family and business.
Fast forward to the mid 90›s. I met Gene again when she became executive director of Davao Tourism Association. I was genuinely glad to see her because she had been one of those few ‘real’ persons I met in college.
I witnessed the early stages of Gene›s transformation from a moth to the butterfly that she is now. On the job, she was hardworking and reliable. While she worked long hours, she stretched herself to ensure she also attended to the needs and demands of her family.
In 1998 she took on an even more challenging job as Program Development Officer of a congressional office. When Gene became a congressional Chief of Staff (COS) in 2000, there was no stopping her. It was an opportunity for her to stretch her wings and learn to soar.
Gene voluntarily did things for her job I wouldn›t dream of her doing, like sliding off the side of abanca to wade in chest deep water towards the shore of a remote community in Samal. Her arms way above her head, she made sure work documents were kept dry for the meeting she went there for. And that›s just a typical day on the job.
Gene has been working as a COS in the same district for over 12 years now. Despite a hectic job, she found time to earn a license as a Davao region tour guide, and do charity as a boardmember of the Cleft Center for Mindanao.
She also co-founded the Happy Teeth, an informal group that gives comprehensive dental services to far-flung barangays, and volunteers at the Coral Program that is involved in sea environment conservation. I wasn›t surprised to find out she had pious undertakings, propagating love for God and Mama Mary through the veneration of Padre Pio. With her energy, there’s no knowing to what lengths this woman of power can go.
With all her professional and personal pursuits, Gene wields a lot of influence, but she›s remained as grounded now as she was back then.  So grounded she can gamely drink tuba if invited by constituents in her area of responsibility.
It makes me feel exhausted just thinking of her doing all these, but hey, I’m not Gene Rose Dalisay Tecson. No one is like her and I’m proud to call her friend.
Tuba, Gene?