MANILA, Philippines — Many of us here and in other countries often wonder how presidents spend their time off from their official responsibilities and what are their interests, hobbies, diversions, and attitudes in life. After all, presidents and other heads of states are human beings too – with flaws and weaknesses. Although there are those who still think that heads of state have the stature of demigods.

Let’s take the case of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. Fondly call the “Mighty Washington” at the end of the Revolutionary War, the 6’2” President Washington had two (2) other nicknames, “Father of the Country” and “The Old Fox.”

Here are some interesting information about George Washington:-

• He is remembered as the first US president who spoke of “that little spark of celestial fire called call Conscience;

• Based in today’s economy, George Washington’s salary was about a million dollar. One of the luxuries he (considered the best horseman in the state of Virginia) indulged in was having leopard-skin robes for all his horses;

• While the US Senate wanted to call George Washington “His Highness President of the United States of America” and the “Protector of Their Liberties”, he preferred to be called “Mr. President”;

• George Washington was the first US President to wear false teeth;

• George Washington who had an impressive physique spent most of life outdoors. He loved horseriding and fencing. However, George Washington who was a good wrestler also liked to play cards (with small bets) on rainy days; he also played billiards. Unbelievably too, dancing was one of the favorite diversions of Washington who stands tall at 6’2”;

• George Washington was in love with Sally Fairfax, wife of his best friend and neighbor, George William Fairfax. But he got married to wealthy widow named Martha Custis. And odd couple indeed because George Washington, with his height of 6’2” towered over his wife whose head did not make it to his shoulders.

• Was Washington sterile? Probably. He never sired any children of his own. At age 17, Washington got sick with malaria and small pox simultaneously. It is not confirmed though whether this is the cause of his reported sterility;

• Washington was stepfather to Martha Custis’ two (2) children from a previous marriage;

• Washington is remembered too for his statement that “Be courteous to all but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence”;

• Ironically, the towering Washington whose size and strength awed many appeared to have died of a cold or pneumonia or strep throat. His men attempted to cure him with concoctions of molasses, vinegar and butter usually prescribed by quacks during Washington’s time. Despite Martha’s protest, Washington’s men also bled him at least four (4) times. Not to mention the fact that they also filled him full of laxatives;

• George Washington’s treasured estate in Mount Vernon in Virginia was turned into a palace with the funds of his wealthy wife before he became president. The wealth of Martha his wife transformed the poor George into an influential gentleman of leisure;

• George Washington, well-known for his dignity and reserve (in fact there were reports that there were those who were tongue-tied in his presence) - is one of the four (4) presidents whose faces are carved on Mount Rushmore. The other three (3) presidents are Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln; and

• George Washington, the only veteran of both the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War died on December 14, 1799 at the age of sixty-seven (67).

Have a joyful day!