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‘Conservative’ Noynoy generous on love matters — nephew


He may be the country’s most eligible bachelor, but President-apparent Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is always "generous" when it comes to matters of the heart. This was how his nephew, Miguel Abellada, described the presidential front runner in an exclusive interview by Pia Arcangel with Aquino’s three nephews and a niece that was aired over "24 Oras" Sunday night. "(He is) very generous especially when it comes to matters of the heart, love-life issues. He'll always listen and he's always interested," said Miguel of Aquino, whom the cousins fondly call Tito Noy. According to Miguel, the boys in the family would tell Aquino that they don't have money to spend on dates, and the senator would willingly give them money from his pocket. But for niece Nina Abellada, Aquino could be quite conservative at times. "Since ako ‘yung girl, ‘pag maikli ‘yung skirt, sasabihin niya, ‘Masyadong maikli ‘yan.’ He's more conservative pa kaysa sa parents ko," she fondly said. (Since I’m the girl, he would inform me if my skirt is too short. He’s more conservative than my parents.)


Name’s burden, promise The four young Aquinos related how they have prepared themselves to carry the burden and promise of their family legacy once another clan member, in the person of their Tito Noy, assumes the highest government post in the country. "Ayaw mong may masabi sa ‘yo ‘yung mga tao (You don’t want the public to have something against you). So even if the situation does not call for it, you tend to do something extra . . . to avoid criticism," said Miguel. The Aquino cousins said they prefer a more private life away from public scrutiny, adding that they never expected another Aquino would run — and decisively win — the presidency. Aquino is the only son of the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino and slain Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. "Everyone is hoping this is going to be the last time. For us we're being taught to focus on what we want for ourselves, what we set out to become when we graduated in college," Miguel explained. But even now that Aquino has yet to be proclaimed, things have already changed for the family. "We are also preparing ourselves with the batikos kasi halos (criticisms, because almost) every day, nasa newspapers si Tito Noy (Tito Noy is in the newspapers). You can't avoid mudslinging. We were too young back then to understand that but now that we're of age and more mature, we just have to be prepared for those things," added Jiggy Cruz. During the campaign for example, when the cousins went all out in supporting their uncle in yet his biggest battle in life, they realized they had to be strong amid a slew of issues hurled against their uncle. Jonty Cruz also felt being humble was as important, given the gravity of being part of the Aquino clan. "May ibang teachers na negative sa Aquino, baka they were for other candidates. ‘Yun ‘yung time na, sa school, doon ko na-realize how the name's affecting the people right now," he said. (Some teachers don’t like the surname Aquino. Maybe they were for other candidates. It was in school that I realized how the name’s affecting the people right now.) Nevertheless, the cousins have been supportive of the campaign, which they said was their way of thanking their uncle whom they consider as their third parent who always has time for them despite his tight schedule. "When our parents aren’t in town, siya ‘yung designated parent namin. Noong New Year’s eve, kaming cousins lang ang nandito so siya yung nagte-text na, ‘Please be safe this New Year's eve. Text when you get home'," said Jonty. (He's our designated parent when our parents are out of town. Last New Year’s Eve he was texting us to please be safe and text when we get home.) Wishes for Tito Noy Despite being a bachelor at the age of 50, Aquino will never be lonely, according to the cousins who promised to visit him wherever he chooses to live when he is elected president. The cousins all have only good wishes for their favorite uncle. "Keep on being fearful of god. Remember the family is just here to support you always," Jiggy said. For Jonty, he hopes the next six years would be as smooth as possible for their Tito Noy. “You can really see that the public . . . they really want change and we hope Tito Noy is able to fulfill that and at the same time he'll be grounded still and stand by his principles," said Nina. "My personal wish is that he really does well and make the Filipinos feel the change that he truly wants is for the country," added Miguel. Do they also wish that their uncle would get married soon? "Nagsawa na rin kaming masyadong mag-expect (We’re tired of expecting) so we'll leave it up to him," Miguel said in jest. - KBK, GMANews.TV
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