Shalani shines in Rajo Laurel gown

Amid the glittering Filipiniana at the Luneta, Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad exuded quiet elegance in a flowing yellow gown when she attended the inaugural of her boyfriend Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III, who took his oath of office as the 15th Philippine president Wednesday. Her shoulder-length hair swept up in a formal style, Soledad was resplendent in a Rajo Laurel terno. She was seated behind Aquino’s sisters during the inaugural rites at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. In a report, GMA News' Sherrie Ann Torres said Shalani was accompanied by her older brother Carlo during the ceremony. Their family stayed at the nearby Manila Hotel.

President Noynoy Aquino's girlfriend and Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad clad in a yellow flowing gown. GMA News screen grab

Shortly after the president delivered his inaugural speech, Soledad posted on her Twitter account: "Best speech I've ever heard! That's our president! Simple, honest & true! So proud to be P-NOY!!! :)" [Read the full transcript of President Aquino's speech here] Shalani had lunch and rested at the hotel after the inauguration ceremony, the report said, adding that she was scheduled to go to Malacañang later in the day. A few hours before the inauguration, Shalani went to the Quiapo Church in Manila to pray for the success of the new administration, the GMA News report said. Earlier, Soledad had denied rumors that she and Aquino have broken up. The new president has repeatedly parried questions concerning his love life and whether he plans to marry Soledad during his six-year term as president. – Sophia Dedace/YA, GMANews.TV