Noy a phenomenon, says New South Wales premier

SYDNEY – For New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell, President Aquino is a “phenomenon” whose leadership is “an incredible force for good” in the Philippines.

O’Farrell called on Aquino yesterday and hosted a state luncheon for him at Parliament House here.

“I’ve welcomed prime ministers, I’ve welcomed premiers, I’ve welcomed presidents, I’ve welcomed potentates, I’ve welcomed prelates, but I’ve never before welcomed a phenomenon,” O’Farrell said in his speech.

Aquino is on the second day of his visit here in Australia. He came from Canberra where he met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other Australian officials.

“I’ve never before met a phenomenon. And I know, Mr. President, that the Noynoy phenomenon was (an) incredible force, an incredible force for good in a country where democracy has never been able to be taken for granted in a way that we in this country take democracy for granted,” O’Farrell said.

He also acknowledged that he was “in the presence of someone whose family epitomizes service to one’s nation and at times that has come with a significant cost.”

O’Farrell was referring to the parents of the President, known throughout the world as the Philippines’ democracy icons.

“I know you yourself had been touched by the force of trying to do what’s right in a country that at times has struggled to maintain that path of freedom, democracy, liberty that is central to both our communities,” he said.

O’Farrell cited accomplishments of the President, including the signing of a framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. While challenges lie ahead, he said peace in Mindanao would benefit the entire country.

O’Farrell also said that out of 200 nationalities presently working and residing in Australia, Filipinos are the most vibrant and energetic and have strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Aquino thanked the people of New South Wales for their warm hospitality.

Both here and in Canberra during an official dinner hosted for him on Wednesday night by Prime Minister Gillard, Aquino said Australia would always be close to his heart because Australian friends had helped one of their household helpers during martial law.

“I do remember one junior member of our household staff who was incarcerated, who was beaten up, who came back to us with just three of his teeth remaining, and he was being forced to turn witness against my father and bear false witness against my father,” Aquino said.

“And that is the context wherein we remember all of our friends. We had managed to spirit him out of the Philippines through the help of Australian friends. We had American friends, we had other friends, but somehow regardless of what history, politics, and faith had before us, somehow there was this constancy of our friends from Australia,” he said.

Aquino said he cherished his “very personal relationship” with the people of Australia who were “never afraid to be associated with us” even during martial law.

“And we thank them, especially at the point in time when my mother, after the (1986) EDSA Revolution, was at the head of our democracy. It was a revolution subject to a counter-revolution and the presence of your officials there and other officials really gave us the solidity so that we could move on to recover fully our democracy,” Aquino said.

Aquino back in top form

SYDNEY – President Aquino was back in top form despite feeling unwell on Wednesday night.

People close to him said the President already had a burger on the plane from Canberra for the second and third days of his state visit here.

The President and his party arrived here at 9:40 a.m. and checked in at the Shangri-La hotel at 10:20 a.m.

The source said there was nothing serious about the President’s condition and that it was just minor stomach trouble.

Aquino was up and about for his activities here, including a state luncheon with New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell at Parliament House and several meetings with businessmen.

Before leaving for Manila later today, he will meet with the Filipino community and unveil a statue of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in Campbelltown.

Aquino himself admitted during the official dinner hosted for him by Gillard in Canberra that he was not feeling well and could not stay for the whole dinner.

After hearing both speeches of Gillard and Sen. George Brandis, Aquino said, “I wish I had been in more perfect health.”

“The speech that was prepared for this evening seemed so wholly inadequate. Unfortunately, this is a question of the spirit wanting and the body not cooperating at this point in time,” he said.

Gillard, for her part, said, “We are very, very disappointed that you had become unwell but we wish you a very speedy recovery and a good night’s rest here in Australia.”

Gillard jokingly asked the members of the President’s delegation to make him rest. – Aurea Calica