Real Atty. Bert Bravo calls! “Di Ko Yan Magagawa Manny, Kaibigan Ko Mga Kaibigan Mo”

The real Edilberto Bravo, the former paper salesman, who rose to become one of the biggest figures in the Philippine Corporate world, called up to clarify na hindi kanya ang Facebook account na nagmura at nangutya sa aking kandidatura.

“Hindi ko magagawa sayo yan, Manny. Kaibigan ko ang mga kaibigan mo at kilala kita. Nahihiya ako sa nangyari at baka nakasira sayo,” Bert Bravo said with such humility that touched me deeply.

I also had to apologize to him for my lack of circumspection by first checking the account bearing his name to determine whether this was a fake account before I posted my reaction.

Just like everybody else, this was a moment when prudence and circumspection were overwhelmed by emotions and hurt feelings.

Sometimes, we forget that God placed our brains higher than the heart and extremities to control our emotions and actions.

Indeed, it was proven to be an identity theft and Bert Bravo said he had asked the authorities to look into the case.

“Tumawag pa sa akin yong kaisa-isa kong anak sa Vancouver kasi worried sila at nagtatawagan ang mga Pilipino sa kanya kung talaga bang ginawa ko yon sayo,” Bert told me.

“Pero mabuti na rin ito at nagkausap uli tayo. Ikakampanya pa kita para makatulong ako sayo,” Bert said.

We agreed to have coffee when I come down from Baguio City to Manila next week, along with a common friend, journalist Al Mendoza who linked me up with Bert Bravo.

Publicly, I also would like to extend my apologies to Atty. Bert Bravo for the anguish that this social media post caused him and his family.

Salamat, Pareng Al Mendoza at maraming salamat din, Atty. Edilberto Bravo.

#PrudenceHasItsRewards!

(Photo downloaded from inquirer webpage shows Ubix Corporation President and CEO Edilberto “Bert” Bravo with national artist BenCab promoting visual arts through digital printing.)