THERE weren’t too many diners at the Cantonese restaurant in one of the busiest districts in the Metro, a surprise given that it was almost time for lunch last September. The 88-seater dining hall overlooking Taguig’s cityscape looked serene as plenty of light enveloped its subdued celadon and cardinal interiors. A classical piece, perhaps by Zhou Xuan, played faintly from the speakers.
In a private room just parallel to the main dining area, a woman sat patiently while waiting for the small group of media people to arrive. I was there first, and I watched how, with a thoughtful movement, her gaze shifted to the fine china to the diamond ring on her left hand.
If she felt overwhelmed sharing little details of the most intimate moment in her life to others, she didn’t show it. She carried herself with grace and humility, smiling politely every now and then to the journalists in our small table.
This was from a time when certificate of candidacy filings and political parties introducing national and local bets were still distant headlines. This was from a time before the woman seated right next to me would marry Aquilino Martin de la Llana Pimentel III, known to the rest of the country as Koko Pimentel, senatorial reelectionist and former 28th Senate President of the Philippines.
Finally, this was from a time when she was still Kathryna Yu, chef, humanitarian and daughter.
Before she met the senator, Kath—as she’s called by friends and family—ran an Italian restaurant and catering business.
In May 2013 a common friend introduced her to the senator in one political victory party in Pasay. “I was asked by a friend to tag along, hindi talaga ako invited. After the victory party, parang may cocktails pa, and that’s when I met him,” Kath recalled. “We talked about food, travel and different cultures.”
The senator’s office called her to schedule a catering service soon after.
Kath said that the senator was obnoxious at first. “The first time I catered for his office, he asked me to prepare his coffee. So sabi ko, pare-parehas lang naman ’yung coffee bakit kailangan na ako pa talaga? ’Yun pala, it was his way of being closer to me. And then later on, I found out that he doesn’t drink coffee because he’s acidic,” Kath said, laughing at the memory.
The Yus hail from Marikina. The family patriarch, who is also a philanthropist, led a nongovernment organization and an international mission group. It came as no surprise that her daughter would also be involved in social work in her career.
In 2017 the then-35-year-old Kath was offered to head the newly formed PDP-Laban Cares, the humanitarian arm of the party headed by Pimentel, a position she still holds today. The organization was formed after President Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao. At the time, Kath recalled she and some friends and partymates conducted relief operations in Marawi City. In August that year, Pimentel decided to transform it to a formal organization.
“After it was launched, we went back and forth to Marawi hanggang sa na-liberate ’yung city. Noong war, tumulong din kami sa mga evacuees. We’ve just finished our project in Tarlac, where we partnered with Mayor Cristy Angeles, dahil kahit hindi ka-partido tumutulong kami eh. There we tapped doctors to give prescription glasses to senior citizens and the locals,” Kath explained. “I try to be there at all times because I want to set an example to our volunteers.”
Aside from this, Kath also manages Pimentel’s law firm. Later that same year, she regularly joined him in his official travels abroad.
In May 2018 when the senator held an official press conference announcing his withdrawal as Senate president, he also confirmed his upcoming wedding with Kath in October.
Koko popped the big question on Valentine’s Day. “Right after we hit the gym, bigla na lang niyang sinabi, ‘Nagki-crave ako ng steak, punta tayo sa baba.’” This happened at Shangri-La The Fort’s Raging Bull Chophouse and Bar.
“After nun, sabi lang niya, ‘I think it’s time to be a family,’ ayun ’yung tanong niya. I said, ‘OK, yes,’ tapos sabi ko magpa-alam muna tayo sa family mo at sa family ko.” Pimentel’s sons from a previous marriage fondly calls her “Mama Kath.”
Kath, 36, and Senator Pimentel, 54, officially tied the knot in a civil wedding ceremony on October 18 at the Coconut Palace.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio officiated the wedding, which was attended by big names in politics and showbiz. President Duterte and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go led the principal sponsors.
In his wedding vow, Pimentel said: “Today, we vote with our hearts. Thank you for electing me as your husband. This is the election I really wanted to win.”
On a more serious note, he added: “I have loved you all these years. I may not verbalize it because you know I’m a man of few words, but I hope you feel my love and genuine concern for you in one way or another. Kath, you will always be my baby girl until our baby girl actually arrives.”
Kath, in her vow, promised to be patient.
“I promise to be patient for the course of our marriage, be the constant pillar for our family wherever our lifelong voyage takes us. I will be there for you and I promise you will never have to be alone in facing your challenges,” she said.
In a Facebook post, Pimentel wrote a short gratitude letter to the people who have supported their relationship throughout the years, saying, “At this very moment, despite the chaos of politics, God blessed me with another opportunity to love and be loved through Kath, my wife. I am grateful to everyone for your support and love to Kath and I.”