Iza Calzado: I am not dating President Aquino

Actress Iza Calzado denied on Wednesday the rumor that she is dating President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III after meeting the latter at a birthday party last week. In a report on GMA News TV's "News To Go," Calzado said she only talked to Aquino during singer Ogie Alcasid's birthday party, where the two were introduced to each other. "I was introduced to the President during kuya Ogie Alcasid's birthday party and I conversed with him there," she said. "As a matter of fact, I was honored to have had the opportunity to talk to him."

The actress, who just arrived from Canada, said she feels embarrassed that her introduction to Aquino has become a big deal. "The last I checked, there's nothing wrong with (talking to the President), 'di ba? That does not equate to dating the President," she said. Calzado added that she just came out of a relationship and is not ready for another one anytime soon. Malacañang on Tuesday refused to comment on the matter. "We don't comment on the President's social life so I will not comment on that," Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ricky Carandang told reporters at a press briefing. Aquino, the first bachelor President of the country, earlier said he wants to keep his love life private, but rumors of a potential date or girlfriend are fueled whenever he is seen in a social gathering with a woman who appears to be his date. — Candice Montenegro/RSJ, GMA News