Lito Lapid fails to get 'wish' with Obama

Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid’s dream to meet face-to-face with US President Barack Obama did not happen, at least for now. Lapid, a former action movie star, was not among the select few who met with Obama on Thursday (Washington time). Aside from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who shared a 45-minute meeting with the US leader, only House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa were allowed to meet with Obama. "At this point, a meeting with Obama is impossible," said Lapid’s executive assistant Alex Marcelino in an interview with GMANews.TV. Lapid told reporters before the meeting that he went along for the trip because he wanted to have a photo opportunity with Obama. “Isa rin sa pangarap ko ‘yan eh. Wala naman ni-isang Pinoy na hindi nagwi-wish na kahit makunan man lang ng litrato sa pangulo ng United States di ba? Powerful (It is one of my dreams. No Filipino has not wished to have a photo op with the president of the US, which is a powerful country)," Lapid said. Marcelino said Lapid was only being candid about his intention, which was shared by most of Arroyo’s entourage anyway. "Who wouldn’t want to have a picture with Obama? But that’s not the only reason why he came there," Marcelino said. Lapid’s staff said the senator would stay in the US until August 15 to attend to several functions with the Filipino community in the West Coast. Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage are expected to return to Manila on Wednesday (Aug 5). - Joseph Holandes Ubalde, GMANews.TV