Photo: Facebook Page of Pres. Benigno Aquino III
Attending the state dinner with one of the world’s most powerful leader was indeed a wonderful experience for TV hosts Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda.
The two shared their once-in-a-lifetime experience on “Aquino and Abunda Tonight” on Tuesday, April 29.
“Alam n’yo po mga kaibigan noong nagsalita si President Obama, alam mo na he was talking to all of you pero, ‘pag nadaanan ka parang ikaw ang kinakausap. It’s a gift,” Abunda said.
( You know my friends when President Obama talked, you know that he was talking to all of you but, when his eyes stared at you, it seemed like he was talking to you. It’s a gift.)
He described the state dinner as “not opulent, not decadent, and very much “Pinoy.”
Abunda was also glad when President Obama paid tribute to the talent of the Filipino.
As for the presidential sister, it was indeed an honor to be seated beside President Obama’s press secretary, Jay Carney.
“Ang dami kong ano, parang insight na nakuha. Nagkuwento siya all of the places he went to. He was there daw, Boy, nagsimula siya siya ke ano muna, vice president Joe Biden for two years. After two years, 2010, tama ba ang bilang ko, 2010 onwards siya na. So, imagine mo, araw-araw siguro silang magkasama, gano’n,” she said.
( I got a lot of insights. He talked about all of the places he went to. He was there, Boy, he started with vice president Joe Biden for two years. After two years, 2010, onwards it was he already. So, imagine, maybe they were together every single day.)
Aquino also shared her insights about President Obama praising the achievements of her family.
“Nu’ng nagpe-pay tribute si President Obama sa mga magulang namin, sinasabi niya na ‘your father gave up his life for democracy. Your mother embodied democracy. You (President Noynoy Aquino) put down the dictatorship.’ Tapos sabi ko, ‘ay, ano kaya ang napi-feel ni Bongbong Marcos na naririnig lahat ‘yon, nandoon siya,” she related.
( When President Obama paid tribute to our parents, he said that ‘your father gave up his life for democracy. Your mother embodied democracy. You (President Noynoy Aquino) put down the dictatorship.’ Then, I said, what did Bongbong Marcos feel hearing all those things, he was there.)