PNoy wants ‘quiet’ 52nd bday

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III, who turns 52 on Wednesday, February 8, said he stopped making personal birthday wishes since he became Chief Executive but would not mind if February 8 would be less stressful than his usual working days.

“When you are the chief public servant, your wishes are not very important especially on a personal basis. So rather than get frustrated, I don’t make any wish,” Mr. Aquino said, when asked for his birthday wish in a chance interview after he keynoted the 110th anniversary of the Bureau of Customs.

He said, however, that he would be thankful “if that day is quiet, and there may be less concerns passed on to us.”

“On Wednesday, I intend to work fully.  In the evening I intend to study other matters that need my attention and then if there would be those who would pray for me, then thank you. If there are those who would criticize me, that’s how it is. I have no day-off on my birthday, so thank you too,” the President said.

Mr. Aquino, a bachelor, was also asked whether Valentine’s Day this year would be different for him, in obvious reference to his admitted steady date, radio and TV personality Grace Lee.

The President laughed at first but said he prepares for questions to be asked during such chance interviews, and his preparation would go to waste if media attention is focused on his Valentine plans.

“Honestly, I prepare for your questions, and then you will only write about that [my Valentine plans].  I kind of pity myself because my preparations would go to waste, so can you just wait for whatever happens, whether something will or won’t happen? Rather than plan and nothing happens. Let’s just wait for it, okay?” he said. – Rappler.com