Talks of romance between Noy, Bais Mayor persist

BAIS CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines – This city’s unmarried mayor, whom President Aquino described as “guapa” during his visit here last September, yesterday said talks linking her to the bachelor Chief Executive make her uncomfortable. But she admitted finding him charming.

Mayor Karen Villanueva made the admission in the midst of reports that the President again met her at the Clark Freeport during the national convention of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas last Nov. 12.

In an interview with The STAR, Villanueva, still single at 31, described Aquino as “entertainingly chatty when you get to talk to him.”

“He is very honest, very down-to-earth, very sincere and I admire him for his strength in standing up against all his critics,” Villanueva said.

The President’s alleged interest in Villanueva was fueled by his speech during his visit last September to inaugurate a P250-million modern public market with a cold storage, an elevator, a “child-minding center” and a multi-purpose hall.

Aquino mentioned twice in his speech that he found the mayor “guapa” or beautiful.

“I remember during the campaign period I said there are a lot of pretty women here in Bais. But now I can honestly say that there really are beautiful ladies here, especially Mayor Karen,” Aquino said in the local language.

Villanueva declined to comment when asked whether she and the President have continued to communicate since the market inauguration, but she said any call from Aquino is welcome.

“Anytime, of course, anytime,” she said.

Intelligent and outspoken, Villanueva said, “I have not really delved into it” when asked how she has been affected by reports of a possible romantic link with the President.

“I feel sometimes that a part of me is uncomfortable, but a part of me thinks ‘Okay, fine,’ Bais has been recognized through me and it is one of the challenges I face as mayor of a second-class city. We need to make as many people aware of the city, come and see the beauty of Bais to pump growth into it, bring in ideas, bring in people, bring in activity.”

At this point, the city has been busy putting up a revolving Christmas tree at the city plaza that would be lighted on Dec. 6.

“Somebody suggested that we invite the President again but then, it would be a security concern since the lighting would be at night and in an open space,” she said.

Villanueva said they would probably invite Aquino to another local affair that would be held at daytime.

It has been widely reported that tourists come to this place to take boat rides to Tañon Strait, reputedly

the second deepest body of water in the country, to watch dolphins in the wide open sea, as well as to walk on sand bars that appear and disappear with the tides in the middle of the strait.