Grace Lee, the apple of birthday celebrant President Noynoy Aquino’s eye, has two things to give him as he turns 52 today: a message and a “simple gift.”
The GMA TV host won’t say exactly what gift she has reserved for the President. But she’s not as shy about her birthday message to him:
“I wish that he continue to maintain that kind of love he has been receiving from the people. It’s very important to him and he’s very much aware of that. Yung love na yon ang pinaka energy niya to keep going.”
Grace, who just signed up as an endorser of Ever Bilena cosmetics, adds that she and PNoy are still in the getting-to- know-you stage, although she thinks “it’s only appropriate for me not to date other men at this point.”
P-Noy the suitor
As a suitor, Grace is all praise for the President, whom she finds “very sweet, very considerate and a gentleman.”
He courts her with chocolates and flowers and they catch up with each other over dinner whenever his busy schedule permits.
Grace denies that they talk for hours on the phone or face to face, since the President doesn’t have the luxury of time.
This, she understands and is learning to accept.
“If he were a regular guy, I’d say,‘Oh, you should have more time for me.’ But who am I and how dare I demand for his time when he belongs to the people? So sinasanay ko na ang sarili ko.”
No PSG
All the attention she is getting because of the President doesn’t make Grace fear for her safety.
Contrary to rumors, she has not sought the services of the PSG (Presidential Security Guard) and no one has offered to give her extra security.
Her reason: “There’s no reason to give me security.”
Grace doesn’t let all the attention pressure her into giving up her privacy, knowing that “it’s a choice.”
“If I want my life to be private, I can keep it private no matter how much attention I get.”
But she doesn’t want to be rude, either by refusing to answer questions, especially from fellow media persons.
“I’m in this industry and hindi maiiwasan yon. I try to accommodate (questions) and be polite to everyone as much as I can and I hope my politeness will not be used against me.”
Grace could be referring to detractors who frown on her openness and take it to mean that she and PNoy are not meant for each other.
Again, she remains unfazed.
“I respect their opinion,” she replies.
Her parents, who are Korean immigrants, are aware of what’s happening and are concerned about her.
“But they trust me and believe I’ll be able to handle this properly.”
Thus, her parents go about their normal activities and lets Grace decide on her own.
Having a family
At 29, Grace’s thoughts are already about “having a family of my own.” And yes, she’s happy right now.
Is P-Noy the reason for her happiness?
All Grace says is, “I’m happy, and he’s one of the many aspects in my life that makes me happy.”
It’s not surprising then, that “P-Noy is at the forefront, if there’s a line (of men after her heart).”
Aquino family
The President’s family has also grown close to Grace’s heart.
“They’re great people,” she gushes. “They’re very grounded, humble people and I’m very flattered they had wonderful things to say about me.”
Grace looks forward to meeting Kris Aquino, PNoy’s youngest sister and is confident that they will get along.
”We will be able to talk about a lot of things.”
Grace’s initial nervousness about meeting the Aquino family quickly vanished after “they made me feel very welcome and comfortable right away.”
No wonder, she looks calm and in control. That’s grace under pressure—the kind she badly needs at this point in her life.
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