In September 1998, during the official visit of then-president Joseph Estrada to Singapore, I had the chance to spend some time conversing lengthily with then-congressman Noynoy Aquino.
I had met Noynoy on several occasions in the past, but the presidential trip gave me the opportunity to get to know more the only son of the very charismatic senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Noynoy not only carried the same name as his father but also his grandfather Benigno Sr., who was also a well-known politician before the war. It must have been difficult for Noynoy to imagine filling the shoes of both his father and grandfather.
Noynoy and I sat down for a lengthy chat at the Long Bar of the Singapore Raffles hotel where the official presidential party was staying. Later, we were joined by Noynoy’s close uncle Len Oreta (husband of the late senator Tessie Aquino). We had quite an interesting conversation, and Noynoy was surprised to find out that our branch of the Romualdez family had a lot of interconnection with the Aquino family for several decades.
My uncle Daniel, who was former House Speaker, was married to Paz Aquino Gueco of Pampanga, a close relative of Noynoy’s grandmother Doña Aurora Aquino. Noynoy was astonished to see a wedding photo of my Uncle Danieling and Auntie Pacing that showed his father Ninoy as the ringbearer.
I also knew his father through my cousin Pocholo Romualdez who worked with Ninoy at Manila Times. I had interviewed the late senator Ninoy on several occasions while I was a news reporter for RPN 9. When I told Noy about my last interview with his father at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel months before Ninoy’s assassination, Noynoy became silent and reflective.
When he excused himself to go to the restroom, his uncle and mentor, Len, candidly told me: “I still have to teach Noy a lot more about politics following in his father’s footsteps.”
Little did we know that the young neophyte congressman from Tarlac would one day become president. Which only proves that the presidency is indeed a matter of destiny. Some may want it or even lust for it, but only fate and destiny can be the deciding factor.
After the Singapore trip, Noy and I exchanged cell numbers and kept in touch. When he became president, we texted each other quite a bit. I very much appreciated the fact that when I called, he made it a point to call me back. On some occasions when he asked for my opinion, I would tell it like it is, knowing that one of his traits is candor and so he appreciated the same.
Early in his presidency, while we were at the birthday party of his cousin Tonyboy Cojuangco, I pointed out that he had a famous “brand” name the world was familiar with. I advised him that it would be good for the country if he traveled extensively with his brand name – to which he replied: “Eh di gamitin natin” (So let’s use it).
I joined a number of his official trips to China, the US and Japan as part of the business delegation, and saw how this name brand elevated the profile of the Philippines and put the country on the radar of international investors. It was no surprise that he made it to Time magazine’s 2013 100 Most Influential People in the World.
I was honored to be invited to a number of state dinners at Malacañang by President Noy, the most memorable of which was the state dinner he hosted for US President Barack Obama whom I had the opportunity to meet. He also made every effort to attend our PeopleAsia magazine events, foremost of which is the People of the Year awards. No doubt, our PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Ramirez was a close family friend of the Aquinos, having worked in Malacañang as editor of the Presidential Press staff during the term of Mrs. Cory Aquino.
In my lifetime, I have known seven presidents and seen them up close, each one having his or her own distinct traits and unique qualities. In the case of Noynoy, it was evident that he wanted to honor and preserve the legacy of his parents – both revered as icons of democracy – in decisions that focused on the wellbeing of Filipinos, whom he called his “bosses.”
His famous lines “kayo ang boss ko” and “daang matuwid,” combined with banning the use of “wang-wangs” (vehicle sirens) by government officials – including himself, even with the heavy Manila traffic – reverberated well with the Filipino public.
PNoy may have had some lapses and wrong decisions during his presidency – no one is perfect after all – but as he said, he could look anyone in the eye knowing he made decisions with the best interest of the people in mind.
He perfectly summed it in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA): “I did all I could to forge a nation that is more just and more progressive – one that enjoys the fruits of meaningful change. I will let history decide… I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
At his 2014 SONA, he said that refusing to heed the clamor of the people to take on the challenge of leadership would have been like turning his back on his parents’ legacy and all the sacrifices they made for Filipinos. One must admit, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III lived up to the legacy of his parents. Overall, he turned out to be a good President.
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