Time magazine citation: Noy gives back honor to Pinoys

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – President Aquino gave yesterday to Filipinos the honor of his being named among the 100 most influential people in the world for 2013 by Time magazine.

Speaking in Filipino, Aquino said: “This is perhaps a recognition of our countrymen, of all Filipinos, more than anything else. I’m just the face. Like in battles, I’m just the first one to move forward, and I accept that. But if there is any triumph, it’s a triumph for everybody.”

Aquino said he feels honored, but was quick to point out that it was not all because of him.

“We have been reminded that we did quite a lot in terms of achievements,” he said.

“It’s clear to me that we only did this because the people are behind me.”

Aquino said he would not have been motivated to push through with his policies like reducing corruption in the bureaucracy if the public had been reluctant in their support for reforms that his administration had initiated.

“But because our countrymen are there behind us, they are the ones that gave us the opportunity to reform and continue to support us until now, then I can accept with much honor that distinction – on their behalf rather than for myself,” he said.

Aquino was included in Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for 2013.

In an article, Filipino-American Howard Chua-Eoan, Time’s news director, cited Aquino for stabilizing and energizing the economy.

“Aquino pushed through a reproductive-rights law that many said was impossible in the fervently Catholic nation,” read the article. “Most important, he became the face of the regional confrontation with Beijing over its claim to virtually all of the South China Sea. It is a brave stance, the long-term consequences still unknown.

“In a country of nicknames, Filipinos proudly call their President P-Noy – a pun on the word they use for themselves: Pinoy. For his courage, however, he really should have the pet name the family gave his eldest sister Maria Elena: Ballsy.”

Aquino was named alongside 23 world leaders like US President Barack Obama, Pope Francis, China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

Also on the list are entertainers Jay-Z, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake; NBA superstar Lebron James and Chinese tennis player Li Na; and actor Daniel Day Lewis, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, US first lady Michelle Obama, and Taliban victim Malala Yousafzai.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the article was a recognition of the true grit characterizing Aquino’s leadership.

“The optimism, dynamism and renewed pride have restored the standing of our nation in the eyes of Filipinos and the world,” he said.

“This is the first time President Aquino appears in the list. He was recognized for stabilizing and invigorating the economy, for his leadership in pushing vital legislation such as the Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood law, as well as his bravery and regional leadership in asserting our national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

“We take pride in how the ideas of good governance and inclusive growth that are the major thrusts of the Aquino presidency resonate not just with Filipinos but with the entire world. This is especially relevant today, as countries all over are trying to become more inclusive economically, politically, and even culturally, President Aquino is already doing it in the Philippines.”

Senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) had mixed reactions on Aquino’s inclusion in Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential persons.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan said Aquino’s inclusion in the list is not sufficient to make the people feel the benefits of economic growth.

“We should be happy, but that will not be enough to convince our people that our economy is growing,” he said.

Honasan said economic growth creates more jobs, infrastructure, hospitals, and schools, and provides food for the people.

“This honor is deserved I think, but for our people to be equally proud and to feel this on the ground, we should do more than recognize the President,” he said.

Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay said labeling Aquino as one of the most influential persons does not mean anything to the poor.

“The ordinary Filipinos are concerned about where to get money they can use to feed their families, how to survive the next day, what will be their job to generate income,” she said. “That is the focus of ordinary Filipinos.”

Nancy Binay said it’s an honor for the country that Aquino is part of the Time list.

“Congratulations!” she said.

Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile said Aquino was cited for continuing the structural reforms that the Arroyo administration had started. – Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica, Alexis Romero