TRIVIA: Interesting facts about the late President Noynoy Aquino
President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III may be gone, but his memory will surely live on in the minds and hearts of Filipinos forever.
While we all know that President Noynoy's parents, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. and Corazon “Cory” Aquino, are considered icons of democracy both locally and globally, he's certainly more than just the son of two of the most iconic figures in our history.
In celebration of the life and legacy of President Noynoy Aquino, a.k.a. President PNoy, below are some interesting facts about his personal and political life which will amaze and inspire you.
Bachelor president
So far, President PNoy is the only bachelor president that we've ever had.
Atenean
Although President PNoy is only the second president to have studied at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), he was the first to have graduated from the educational institution. He finished his Bachelor of Arts (Major in Economics) degree in 1981. The other president who studied there was former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
Yearbook quote
President PNoy's yearbook quote first surfaced on the internet in 2016, during his last year in office. Some netizens still remain puzzled as to what PNoy's quote truly meant, while some concluded that his “wisdom is unfathomable.”
President PNoy's yearbook quote published in the 1981 edition of Aegis, ADMU's yearbook / Source: Archimedes Grappa (FB)
The Third
President PNoy was the only president who has a numerical notation (III) in his name. No other president had “The Third” or other suffixes such as Sr. and Jr. in their names.
Bullet in his neck
During a failed coup attempt in August 1997, President PNoy was shot five times but miraculously survived. After which, the bullet fragments remained lodged in his neck.
09-09-09
September 9, 2009 was a significant date in President PNoy's life because that's when he announced his candidacy for President.
From senator to president
President PNoy was among former senators who eventually became president. He is the 10th president to accomplish such feat.
15th president
President PNoy was the 15th president of the Philippines, but the 5th of the Fifth Republic.
6th president with six-year term
Next to former presidents Manuel Quezon, Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PNoy became the 6th elected president with a six-year term.
Quirino Grandstand
President PNoy was the 7th Philippine president to be inaugurated at the Quirino Grandstand.
Sworn in by an Associate Justice
President PNoy was not sworn in by a Chief Justice, and he was the fourth president to do so. He was sworn in by then Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.
Honorary degree
President PNoy was the 8th president to receive an honorary degree from the Fordham University in New York, which is also a Jesuit university like his alma mater, ADMU.
Sharp shooter
Not a lot of people know that President PNoy was actually a competent marksman. He even became the champion in the First Speaker Jose de Venecia Cup Shooting Competition, which was held at the Armscor range in Marikina City in 2003.
Caesar Salad
In a 2009 Kapuso Mo: Jessica Soho episode, President PNoy's sister, Pinky Aquino-Abelleda revealed that he loved Caesar Salad so much. She said, "Breakfast, lunch, at dinner niya yata ito.”
Linked to and dated well-known women
Even though President PNoy never married, he has dated a number of women who were known in their respective fields such as TV host Korina Sanchez, actress Barbara Milano, broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano, politician and former TV host Shalani Soledad, and Korean TV personality Grace Lee. He was also linked to celebrity stylist Liz Uy, stockbroker Len Lopez, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
“75”
In an article written by Tina Del Rosario, one of PNoy's speechwriters from 2011 to 2016, she revealed that they referred to PNoy as “75.”
“Dadalhin” and samba music
Tina Del Rosario also said that during their meetings with PNoy, he would play the song “Dadalhin” by Regine Velasquez as intermission. She wrote, “…he would play “Dadalhin” and admonish us to listen carefully to the lyrics to appreciate how bittersweet the song actually is.” She also said the President PNoy would play samba music to keep them awake whenever they would pull an all-nighter.
“Filipinos worth fighting for”
President PNoy delivered one of his most unforgettable speeches during his 2011 State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he talked about the Chinese Navy boats that harassed a Philippine-commissioned oil exploration vessel near Recto Bank.
He said, “The transformation we are experiencing now, we can make permanent with the guidance of God. As long as your faith remains strong--as long as we continue serving as each other's strength--we will continue proving that 'the Filipino is worth definitely dying for,' 'the Filipino is worth living for,' and if I might add: 'The Filipino is worth fighting for.'"
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Check out also some of the unique and touching art tributes created by Pinoys for the late President Noynoy Aquino in the gallery below.