There's a Pinoy behind this leader

There’s a Pinoy behind this leader
By Ignacio Dee

George Walker Bush may be president of the most powerful country in the world, but it is a Filipino who literally has control over his every whim.

This man, Fidel Medina, is his personal valet, and he serves his master with unquestioned loyalty and with efficient service that has been the hallmark of every Filipino valet who has served every US president since 1969.

Richard Nixon’s personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, and his wife, first made a name for Filipino valets when Nixon praised them in his autobiography.

Succeeding presidents such as Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and the elder George Bush have all been served by Filipinos, whose efficiency is highly valued by the American leaders.

Medina, an American citizen, has been the White House valet since the time of Bill Clinton in 1993 and continued the job when George W. Bush became president in 2001.
Bush, who has relentlessly waged war against terrorism since the tragedy of 9/11 is a totally different person in private says Medina.

“He is a regular guy and his family is very nice,” said Medina during a break in Bush’s state visit to the Philippines yesterday.

Medina said he also serves the president’s father, George Sr., when the latter is around. He says George Jr. is very similar in temperament to his dad.

Being the president’s personal valet means ministering to Bush’s every needs: from the time he gets up till the time he goes to bed. This means staying up at least 12 hours, which Medina, thanks to his energy and fitness, manages.

But the valet’s biggest asset is learning to be circumspect and even neutral in times of crises, for his service depends on the extent of his boss’ trust.

Despite the pressure-packed demands of his boss’ job, Medina says Bush keeps regular hours. Even when the US mounted attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq, “his hours didn’t change,” Medina said.

Medina also serves Mrs. Bush and their two daughters, as well as the elder Bush and the former first lady, Barbara, when they visit their children. “Former president Bush also has a Filipino valet, but he prefers that I serve him,” he said.

From Navyman to valet
The eldest child of veteran newsman and public relations practitioner Romy Medina, Medina joined the US Navy in 1984. After becoming the youngest noncommissioned officer in the US Navy, where he was a master chief, Medina applied for the job of the US president’s personal valet in 1997.

Medina passed the required tests, but he had to obtain security clearance which, due to the nature of his job, carries the highest security clearance in the world. He got it, no thanks to his performance as master chief.

His father Romy, a veteran newsman, said his eldest son was familiar with the job, having worked with former president Clinton when he was at Camp David. Working with admirals also imbued in him a respect for protocol and to be reserved.

“He is quiet, efficient and loves sports,” said his father, who met him yesterday at the airport.


taken from Manila Standard Today 2002