Aquino elated with people’s show of appreciation

Before the Ateneo de Manila University graduating class of 2016, President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday narrated a heartwarming show of appreciation that people showed him exactly a week ago.

He said that it was on eve of Father’s Day last week when he had dinner at a mall.

“Sa palapag na ‘yun, magkakatabi ang mga restawran. May isang mesang bumati agad at nakipagkamay. Maya-maya po, marami nang nagpapalakpakan, pati sa mga katabing mga kainan. Napatanong po ako sa aking sarili: Nagpapalakpakan ba sila dahil sa tuwa sa akin, o masaya silang aalis na ako?,” Mr. Aquino said, making his audience laugh.

“Palagay ko po ang tamang sagot: Sa dami ng nagpa-picture, malamang natuwa naman po sila sa’tin,” he added, smiling.

Mr. Aquino earned his economics degree from the Ateneo 35 years ago.

He apologized for “delaying the proceedings” on Saturday, admitting that he spent the early hours of the morning still drafting his speech.

Mr. Aquino said he felt the pressure to come up with a good speech after media pointed out that it would be his last as the President, not to mention he had family and friends in the audience.

“While I was thinking of what to tell you this morning, I decided to ask for the advice from someone older than me. So I sent a text message to (Ateneo university president) Fr. Jett (Villarin), who graduated 36 years ago,” the President said, again drawing laughter from his audience.

President Aquino said Villarin replied:

“Just speak from your heart; tell of the things that inspired you, sustained you. And perhaps that will in turn inspire and challenge these aspiring young ones to become men and women for others, generous enough to offer their lives for our people.”

“Then he put a smiley-face at the end,” the President said, making his audience laugh anew.