Noy tells Ilonggos: I'm still looking for my 'palangga'

ILOILO CITY Philippines  – President Aquino seems to be heartbroken again. But he confessed yesterday that finding a wife was no longer a priority at this time of his life.

Aquino joked during the ceremonial awarding and distribution of social services at the provincial capitol here that he is still looking for his “palangga” (loved one in Ilonggo) although often what he finds is “palanggana” (basin).

The President was trying to speak Ilonggo, the local dialect, as he delivered a speech in front of local government officials and the beneficiaries of various projects such as the conditional cash transfer program, the grant of Philippine Health Insurance cards and awarding of land titles.

In a subsequent ambush interview, the President was asked whether he was serious when he said that he was looking for someone to love.

He said he has been looking for a wife for 33 years and it seemed not a priority at present.

Aquino even said the first one he would invite to his wedding, if that “miracle” happens someday, is the Manila-based reporter who asked the question.

A local reporter then followed it up with a question on whether somebody broke his heart, the reason why he remained a bachelor.

“Marami po (A lot),” he said.

Pressed to name names, the bachelor President did not identify anyone, except saying that he is looking for a “partner for life,” not a “partner for the next two months, for the next six months.”

“Malas po ako (I’m not lucky),” Aquino said, comparing himself with Sen. Franklin Drilon and Gov. Art Defensor who were able to find their “partners in life right away.”

“May balance din naman sa mundo, siguro darating din iyong time ko (There’s balance in the world, perhaps my time will still come),” he added.