Mikaela upstages grandma with pony ride

Like grandmother, like granddaughter?

President Arroyo’s famous eldest grandchild, Mikaela Gloria, was in the spotlight yesterday after she surprised Malacañang reporters by appearing at the Palace grounds atop a pony.

But the three-year-old also displayed a bit of her grandmother’s presidential temperament, refusing to answer questions and expressing irritation at all the media attention.

"Mika" caught the immediate attention of reporters when she rode up from the Palace on a pony. She waved to the assembled photographers as they took shots from afar but refused to answer questions about her ride.

This reporter and Ruby Bernardo Tayag of radio station dzMM tried to ask the three-year old the name of her pony and who had given it to her, since her two babysitters and the male leading the horse would not supply any information.

But — obviously possessing a bit of the "taray" streak of her Lola — "Mika," though smiling and clearly not shy, said: "I don’t like to answer. I don’t like everybody."

"Mika" said she did not want to be disturbed because "I am riding a horse," and added she might talk "after I go down."

Asked again the name of her pony, she told her companions, "Tao ba yun?"

"Mika" also saw several motorcycles parked in front of the Mabini Hall and said she wanted to ride them, too.

But before she rode off, "Mika" did offer a goodbye and waved to her curious spectators.

As the eldest granddaughter of President Arroyo, "Mika" has been in the limelight since as early as 10 months old — even managing to grab the attention of President George W. Bush during his visit to Manila in mid-October in 2003.

The little girl was also the one who reportedly prodded her Lola and Lolo, First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, to visit Hong Kong Disneyland in November, a trip that paved the way for a family reunion there.

Her newest hobby is also amusing: taking photographs with a digital camera — something her Lolo also enjoys doing.

According to the First Gentleman, his apo can send both he and the President into a tizzy when she asks for something — just like any other doting grandparents.

Recently, the First Gentleman said "Mika" requested the VCD of the movie "The Nutcracker," because of her fondness for ballet.

Mr. Arroyo said he tried to oblige immediately but could not locate the VCD.

"It’s here," the First Gentleman quoted his wife as saying. Mr. Arroyo said the President was able to locate the VCD easily since she had arranged all their VCDs alphabetically in the rack.

Mr. Arroyo said the CD rack was a gift from Mrs. Arroyo to him last Christmas.

"Mika" caught the attention not only of Filipinos, but the Bushes as well, who picked her from among the children waving small Philippine and US flags at he and his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, during their visit here.

"Mika" apparently recognized Lola in the procession and kept waving in her direction.

Mrs. Arroyo told her distinguished guest that the child was her beloved apo, after which Mr. Bush picked up Mika, gave her a kiss and gamely posed for the horde of Malacañang and White House photographers.

Mika, dressed in a baby-pink outfit with spaghetti straps during the presidential embrace, did not protest at being carried by a total stranger. Mr. Bush was reportedly amused by Mika’s beaming smile.