THE AQUINO sisters (from left) Viel, Pinky, Kris and Ballsy: Helping should not be confused with interfering. Edwin Bacasmas
When President Benigno Aquino III met with Inquirer editors and reporters for the “Meet the Inquirer Multimedia” forum last Sept. 8, the Chief Executive tackled various topics: from Mamasapano to slow Internet connection.
But the foremost question on Inquirer Entertainment’s list involved the presidential sisters, particularly controversial celebrity Kris Aquino.
Just how much influence do sisters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris have on presidential decision-making, especially when it comes to cultural and show business issues?
Resident expert
The President admitted that when it comes to “entertainment and cultural” matters, “there is no discussion because Kris seems like the resident expert.”
He explained, however, that his sisters “normally do not interfere…unless something comes up.”
He recalled a recent text message from sister Pinky, commending him for the smooth traffic situation (then again, the forum was set the morning of the infamous “carmaggedon,” but that’s another story).
“Pinky texted me: ‘Uy, there’s vast improvement. I am headed south and it’s like Sunday traffic,’” the President related. “Sometimes there are concerns that are brought to their attention so [these issues] would be channeled to me.”
He said that his sisters “tell me the successes. They’re like sounding boards…additional eyes and ears.”
He recounted that when his mother Corazon became president in 1986, the Aquino children were told to go back “to their private lives” away from the government. Alas, they would frequently get involved, too, he said, “if there were coups, flash floods, volcanic eruptions like Pinatubo.”
PRESIDENT Aquino insists his sisters don’t meddle in government matters. INQUIRER photo
He clarified, however, that “malasakit (concern) should not be confused with pakikialam (meddling).” It’s all about “helping versus interfering,” he pointed out.
In a poignant peek into his relationship with his siblings, the President described Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris as “typical sisters,” who would naturally express concern if he had been losing too much weight.
“Sometimes I would make cariño (show affection)…Pinky has this Caesar salad dressing that I love. I would remind her if it took a long time for her to send it to me. She actually has a calendar and only sends it every six months.”
Apparently, the dressing gets spoiled easily. “She would tell Yolly (his yaya or personal assistant): ‘It’s been four days. The dressing is made of all-natural ingredients—no preservatives—so you should throw it away.’”
AlDub phenomenon
In a show-bizzy twist, the President was also asked his opinion on the raging AlDub phenomenon of the noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”
He declined to reveal whether he watches “Eat Bulaga” on GMA 7 or rival “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN, home network of sister Kris.
He quipped that if he answered the query, “a lot of people might get mad at me.”
Ever so diplomatically, he said that he usually watches shows on cable, History Channel, National Geographic Channel, Discovery and Discovery Turbo.
He conceded, however, that he was aware of the AlDub craze: “I saw a picture…isn’t that about someone who kisses a TV screen. I read about it in your newspaper.”
Thank you, Mr. President.