Bachelor President Benigno “Noynoy “ Aquino III has a new flavor of the month or shall we say a new apple of his eye.
And speculations are rife that she could fill the vacuum in the presidential palace that is wanting for a First Lady since the departure of ousted president Joseph “Erap “Estrada in 2001.
The latest woman in Noynoy’s short-lived romances is TV and radio host Grace Lee, a Korean national born in Seoul, South Korea but migrated to the Philippines at age 10 years old to be with his father who is an auto executive doing business in the country.
Lee whose Korean name is Lee Kyung Hee, works with GMA 7, one of the Philippine’s giant broadcast networks but previously hosted events in the Korean-Filipino communities and is also an official interpreter for Malacanang Palace.
Dubbed as the “Korean Cinderella “ by the South Korean media when the news broke about her relationship with the Philippine President some weeks ago, Lee met the president in Cebu when
A Korean delegation visited to inaugurate a project.
According to reports, President Noynoy was heard to remarked that she (Grace Lee) is “guapa“or beautiful when he eyed her during the occasion wearing the traditional Korean costume.
Since then, there were a flurry of media reports of their liaisons and dates which the president later admitted.
Lee confirmed speculations in the media when she proclaimed that “what the president said is true “.
Ever since assuming office two years ago, a waiting game had ensued as to whether Noynoy would marry while in office.
His past relationships include a two-termer Valenzuela councilor Soledad Shalani whom many believed would eventually become
First lady but they soon broke off. Shalani recently got married to
A congressman from Pasig.
Other woman in Noynoy’s life is Liz Uy, the presidential stylist;
Len Lopez, a dancer and Bunny Calica, a teacher.
There is a joke going around: What if President Noynoy marry
Grace Lee, a Korean?
The official Presidential Limousine and ride will no longer be a Mercedes Benz or a Toyota Land Cruiser. It will be replaced by
A Hyundai Genesis or a Starex (a popular Hyundai van in the Philippines).
In every morning’s flag ceremony at the Palace, “Lupang Hinirang “will be sung alongside “Airing“.
At official State banquet, “Kimchi“will be in tandem with “Bagoong“.
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ARE NANNIES PREY AND FAIR GAME? This writer condemns in strongest term the use of the word “Poaching” describing caregivers who leave their employers to seek ‘”Greener pastures“or pursue their dreams.
Reports in the various mainstream media said there is “rampant nanny poaching across Canada especially in Greater Toronto “:
How can some people be insensitive to the plight of nannies specially Filipina caregivers (whom the news reports singled out)
Comparing them to animals and plants.
“Poaching“ is described as an illegal act that involves the taking, hunting or fishing of animals. Plants or marine life against accepted environmental and conservation laws.
They also blamed the shortage of caregivers due to the recent government ruling giving existing caregivers here in Canada open permits to seek permanent residency after their stint with their employers. What’s wrong with nannies that look for other jobs and employers to purse their personal development and fulfill their ambitions? They cannot remain a nanny forever.
Besides, most Filipinos or Filipina women who come here as caregivers are mostly professionals and well educated with university or college degrees and naturally, after completing the requirements as mandated by law, are free to do as they wish.
The recent ruling giving them open permits only liberated them
from their slave-like situations where they are required to work longer hours in some cases. The only ones complaining are the recruiters who are losing their clients and commissions.
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TRANSITIONS AND MILESTONES: Whitney Houston,48 is best remembered among Filipinos who can sing a tune or two.
Her songs, among them “ I will always love you “(from the bodyguard) had become the measuring gauge among aspiring singers in the Philippines. In every singing contests or competitions, those who can give a good rendition of the song become a sure winner.
Internationally acclaimed Charice Pempengco’s signature song (which eventually became her passport to fame) was the “Bodyguard “ theme song and other Whitney ditties.
In beerhouses and other watering holes and karaoke bars, “Saving all of my love “ was the anthem of GROs, hostesses and other
Hospitality girls who became “ the other women “ of their married
Customers and lovers.
“Moment in Time “ was the favorite among those who want to highlight their vocal acrobatics by scaling the song’s high and low
notes.
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ANNIVERSARY: Felicitations to couple Carlito and Araceli “nanay“ Almeida on their 40th wedding anniversary. Their simple get together coincided with Araceli’s 61st
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