President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses the turn-over ceremony of 2 billion pesos additional allocation to Sec. Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) given by PAGCOR Chair Crisitno Naguiat Monday (December 14) to coincide with the Pamaskong Handog gift-giving project at the Quezon Memorial Circle covered court. The additional 2 billion brings PAGCOR’s total funding for the “Matuwid na Daan Sa Silid-Aralan” school building program to a staggering 12 billion pesos. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The island of Boracay is on President Benigno Aquino III’s list of must-visit destinations after he steps down from office in June next year. That, and the Saint Jude Shrine near Malacañang.
In a media forum in Pasay City on Friday, Aquino said he was only able to visit Boracay once and it was for an inauguration of a government project.
“Which place would I want to go to? You know, last night I was talking to somebody, and I said everybody in the Philippines would probably have a Bora experience. Hopefully, it is still an experience that I can experience,” said Aquino.
“We had to inaugurate the Caticlan airport’s improvements there so they gave me an opportunity. So I have to confess, I saw Bora, but I never got to the beach. I never got to the water,” he added.
He recalled a popular photo showing his mother, the late former President Cory Aquino, walking barefoot along the beach’s powder-fine sand.
Asked how he would spend his days after his term expires, Aquino said: “Day One, I probably will get up sometime in the late afternoon.”
“I will not read any newspaper. I will enjoy or I will try to enjoy feeling no pressure whatsoever on that day,” he said.
Aquino also said that with more time in his hands by then, he plans on visiting Saint Jude Shrine near Malacañang to pray for his love life.
“Do I have plans? I’ve always had plans. Siguro when I have more time, now that I’m able to go to St. Jude a lot more often, it might help [with my love life],” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“Talagang when we’re alive, everybody should have hope,” Aquino, a bachelor, added.
Saint Jude is known as the patron saint of lost causes. (MNS)