Bachelor president still longs for marriage

MANILA, Philippines – Marriage has been a long-time aspiration for President Aquino, a 52-year-old bachelor who said he has not been as lucky as his parents.

Aquino, who said the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino are his role models for a married life.  

“My father and mother say the same thing–they would not have achieved what they had achieved if they didn’t find each other. Of course, that’s also what I’m aiming for,” the President said in Filipino during a chance interview after he inaugurated the Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler, Aurora.

He noted how he was taught that “all couples agree to be one and the one that is achieved is greater than the sum of its parts” in one of his theology classes at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“Given the burdens of my office,  if you have someone you can talk to, if there is someone who will tell you, ‘You’re still okay,’ of course, that is the key to your inspiration,” the President said.

Aquino said that marriage “has been my long-time plan, back when I was still in college. I haven’t had much luck.”

The questions were prompted by the President’s speech at the inauguration of the Aurora Memorial Hospital, where he said that the late President Manuel L. Quezon was lucky to have Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon who was there to support him throughout his term.

“That is why sometimes, I cannot help but think [that] it may really be different when you have an inspiration,” he said.

Aquino, however, seemed to be coy in revealing whether he has found his inspiration.

Asked who his “inspiration” is, Aquino replied, “We will find out.”

The bachelor president had previously asked to keep his lovelife private. Since he assumed the highest post in the country, he ended a 2-year relationship with Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, briefly dated stylist Liz Uy afterwards, then had a brief relationship with stock broker Len Lopez.

He is currently dating Korean television and radio personality Grace Lee. – Rappler.com