Noynoy to wear bespoke barong with trademark ribbon in proclamation

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III may be known for his modest lifestyle, but for his proclamation and inauguration as the Philippines’ 15th president he'll be wearing clothes fancier than what he’s used to: A barong tagalog custom-made for him by Filipino designer JC Buendia. The barong he’ll wear to the proclamation sports a symbol on the top right which has been a hallmark of Aquino’s campaign — the ribbon. But the one he’ll be wearing to the June 30 inauguration bears the Philippine map, reminiscent of shirts Aquino usually wears. "The ribbon actually tells me where I came from. It's the sense of the struggle today also, [a] symbol of the struggle today. I want to be sure I don’t lose my grounding," said Aquino at a briefing inside his Times Street home in Quezon City. The ribbon was a symbol closely associated with his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, who was also known for her modest lifestyle. Buendia and Aquino's sister, celebrity Kris Aquino, were responsible for getting him to wear designer clothes. Aquino said Buendia, who has also made clothes for outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, presented to him some sketches on Sunday. Asked what other new piece of clothing he'll be wearing on proclamation, Noynoy answered with a laugh, "Lumang salamin at relo, bago ang fountain pen, bagong barong, lumang pantalon, maayos na underwear." (Old glasses and watch, new fountain pen, new barong, old pants, decent underwear.) Aquino is known for being simple in his choice of clothing. But now that he's about to become president, he'll be wearing more respectable clothes when he's attending official functions, he said. "When I represent the people siyempre ayusin ko naman," Noynoy said, but maintained that he should be allowed to dress down a little for private affairs. (When I represent the people of course I'll wear something nice.) Aquino, who is balding, said he might also fix his hair. "Yung buhok baka ayusin natin konti (We might fix the hair a little)," he said in jest. Aquino would be accompanied by his sisters during his proclamation this week. "I asked my sisters to join me [and] perhaps their families. Hindi naman clear ilan pwede ko imbitahin e (It's not clear how many I can invite)," he said. "I'd like my family to be with me dahil ito na naman yung umpisa ng dagdag kalbaryo e (because this is the start of another burden)." As for his inauguration, it would "probably be in Metro Manila," but Noynoy said he wasn't inclined to hold it at the Quirino Grandstand where some past presidents were inaugurated. "That’s tradition but we also want to emphasize the idea we are going to change a lot of things. We are inclined [towards] Quezon Memorial Circle but we are told there are very little facilities at QMC," he said. A possible "street party" after the inauguration is also in the works, Aquino said. "May celebration. We’re still working it out pwede ba street party. Ang street party may nagpeprisinta ballroom at rocker, panahon ko at bago (For the street party some are presenting ballroom theme, rocker, music from my time and new music)." - Jam L. Sisante, RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV