MANILA, Philippines - Loren Legarda has a secret weapon on the campaign trail. He is a good-looking young man, so articulate, and so charming. His name is Leandro Legarda Leviste and he is the most brilliant 20-year-old I know.
I should know because Lean is a fire-breathing columnist in our Young Star section who writes about stuff that would interest readers twice his age. If he has become wise beyond his years, blame it on his mother who has exposed him to too many intellectual pursuits that he probably found no time to play. Did he ever read Harry Potter? Did he ever watch Rock of Ages? Perhaps he was more interested in Harry Truman or the Age of Enlightenment.
Lean was in the highest honor roll at the International School Manila where he was student council president. A champion debater in debating contests held in places such as Scotland, Malaysia and now Yale University where he is a phenomenal achiever. This incoming junior majoring in Political Science was secretary of Yale University’s student government this year. He is an active member of the Yale Debate Team.
“I love learning about the world,” Lean says. “I have learned from my mom that the best place to help others is from within government.”
Which is perhaps why he decided to help his mother during the election campaign, going with her to remote provinces, shaking hands with people in markets, joining candidates for grassroots activities and even delivering speeches during rallies.Lean alsocontributed to campaign strategy and planning, media messaging and social media operations.
Obviously, his past experience as an intern to East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta helped a lot. And so did his internships at The Economist in New York and the Philippine Mission to the United Nations.
http://www.philstar.com:8080/sunday-life/2013/05/12/940974/loren-legarda-being-resilient-life-best-lesson-i-have-taught-my-sons
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