Aquino on Chiz-Heart wedding: ‘I’m relieved I’m not ninong’

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Heart Evangelista. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Hope springs eternal, a candid President Benigno Aquino III said Monday as he reacted to news that he was asked by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to be his best man in his wedding with actress Heart Evangelista.

“As to being best man syempre (of course) I am honored but I’m relieved that I wasn’t made ninong (godfather),” Aquino said in jest.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program launch at Davao City, Aquino explained that it was taboo for single people to be called on as principal sponsors in weddings since it would make them less likely to find a partner in life.

“We have a belief that single people who become godparents…will remain single for the rest of their lives. So to avoid that possibility, in case that exists, I said that I was even willing to become secondary sponsor,” he added, laughing.

Kidding aside, Aquino said Escudero was a “very good friend” of his and that they have been through a lot since they both started as congressmen in 1998.

“We are looking forward to it being a joyous occasion and the start of real happiness for both (of them),” he said of Escudero and Evangelista.

He said he will pray for their happiness.

Asked how many times he had become best man, he said, “May mga bagay na hindi na binibilang (There are things that should no longer be counted).”

“Natapos na ako doon sa pagtatanong na ‘ito na lang ba ang papel ko dito lagi?’(I’m through asking, ‘will this always be my role’?),” he added.

Aquino, since being elected president in 2010, has long been teased about his status as a bachelor.

Meanwhile, the President also confirmed that he had been invited to the wedding of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera but said that as far as he knows, he will just be attending as a guest.

“They’ve been very supportive, both of them. And they really seem to be happy. So I really hope that it continues for the rest of their lives,” he said of the two celebrities.

Aquino said he was invited by Dantes during the latter’s oath taking as commissioner-at-large for the National Youth Commission.

Dantes has yet to confirm reports that he plans to run for public office.

Originally posted at 1:12 pm | Monday, September 8, 2014

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