Noynoy to unveil new pair of iconic glasses

A common accessory for most, eye glasses have become an iconic symbol for the Aquinos. Black-rimmed and over-sized square glasses have been identified with Ninoy Aquino, a national hero who could have ascended to the presidency. Gold-rimmed, round glasses were worn by his wife Cory, the president who restored Philippine democracy. And now, thin black-framed glasses are worn by their son Noynoy, the man poised to continue his parents' legacy, in addition to their bespectacled look. Before he takes on his new role as president, Noynoy has been undergoing a style makeover fit for the most powerful man in the country. Among the highlights of his new look is a new pair of glasses made by celebrity optometrist Vivian Sarabia. While making the future president's new glasses, Dr. Sarabia had one thing in mind. "A major consideration in choosing glasses for Noynoy is to avoid making him look like Ninoy. His own identity must reflect in his glasses," she said. "His glasses shouldn't be a distraction, but a way to enhance his appearance." The Sarabia family has been making the glasses of all Philippine presidents since the time of Manuel L. Quezon. Since she made glasses for Cory, Dr. Vivian Sarabia also took on Noynoy as a client and she has been making glasses for him for 10 years. Despite the availability of contact lenses, Dr. Sarabia said Noynoy cannot wear contacts because he is myopic, or nearsighted. True to his frugality, Noynoy wears non-branded glasses and each one he purchases is maximized to full use. However, being an eyewear stylist, Sarabia also makes sure that the styles of Noynoy's glasses are always up to date. She usually prepares an array of glasses from which Noynoy will take his final pick. "It's giving directions without imposing," she said. Since Noynoy has an oval-shaped face, his glasses are usually semi-rimmed with wide lenses. Sarabia also considers how it will look on camera and avoids lenses that glare when facing lights. For Noynoy's glasses for the inauguration, Sarabia prepared a variety of pairs that were mostly semi-rimmed and rimless. The choices were purposefully made in metal and gun-metal colors since solid black glasses are very much identified with his father Ninoy. As to which pair the future president eventually chose, Sarabia cannot disclose. She did, however, give a hint: it's rimless. - Reporting by China Jocson / JG / HS, GMANews.TV