Noynoy Aquino through the lens of his photographer: 'When it was just us, he was just PNoy'

Gil Nartea remembered former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino through different lenses. After all, he was the chief of close-in photographers when Noynoy was still in Malacanang and witnessed firsthand who he was in and out of the limelight.

In a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode on Sunday, Gil shared that being the President’s Official Photographer was his highest credential.

Looking at the president

For someone who has been there beside Noynoy since he was a senator, Gil said that he was able to witness the big changes Noynoy underwent when he decided to run for President.

“Malaki ang ipinagbago niya. Parang naging mas matured siya nu'ng tatakbo siya. Nag-iba 'yung kilos niya. Although behind the scene, kung kami-kami lang namang mga staff o mga kaibigan niya. Siyang-siya pa rin. PNoy na PNoy pa rin,” Gil shared.

[He changed a lot. He became more mature when he decided to run [for Presidency]. The way he carried himself changed. But behind the scene, with his staff or friends, he’s still the same. He’s still PNoy through and through.]

Although Noynoy was a strict President when it came to work, Gil said that PNoy would insist that his staff go home and spend time with his family.

When Gil would work from Monday to Sunday, he remembered the former president telling him, “Tata Gil, paano ang pamilya mo? Lagi ka na lang nandito!”

[Tata Gil, what about your family? You’re always here.]

One Christmas eve, Gil shared that Noynoy told all of them--all of the camera men, and even some of the Presidential Security Guards--to go home to spend time with their families.

There were times, Gil said, that when PNoy would go out to buy shoes, he’d tell the staff to pick something they’d like. Afterwards, PNoy would pay for all of it from his own pockets.

Looking at the family man

Almost every Sunday, Gil said Noynoy would spend time with Bimby, Josh and his other family members.

“’Yung mga pasyal-pasyal niya, ‘yan ‘yung mas madalas bata yung kasama niya, ‘yung dalawang pamangkin niya. Para siya talagang hindi siya Presidente pag sa mga panahon na ‘yun, sa mga time na yun, parang ordinaryong tao lang siya. Kung makikita ninyo meron siya, nagtatali siya ng sapatos habang naglalakad siya. Pag o-order sa mga fast food, siya ang pumipila-- siya ang umo- order para sa mga kasama niya.”

[When he’s just on a stroll on Sunday with his nephews, it felt like he was just an ordinary person. He’d tie his own shoe laces. At a fast food restaurant, he would fall in line himself and order for the people he’s with.]

The only thing that made Gil sad about Noynoy was that he didn’t have his own family—his own partner and children.

“May litrato ako diyan na nasa eroplano siya, nakatingin siya sa bintana. Wala siyang katabi, siya mag-isa lang, parang yun ang buhay. Naging faithful siya sa pagiging Head of State.”

[I had a photo of him when he was in an airplane, alone, looking out the window. He didn’t have anyone beside him, he was alone. It was like his life. He was a faithful Head of State.]

Looking at PNoy

In Gil’s eyes, Noynoy was a funny, lighthearted man.

When they’d fly out of the country, Gil remembered Noynoy standing and looking around at night and checking who was snoring and if their mouths were hanging open, and the next day, Noynoy would tell stories about it.

When Noynoy stepped down, Gil said that he’d always make sure to pass by his house on Noynoy’s birthday to drop off a gift, which was always a big printed photograph of Noynoy.

It was around 2019, said Gil, when he last saw Noynoy.

Gil admitted that he was in shock when he heard the news about Noynoy’s passing.

On Thursday morning, Noynoy passed away at the age of 61 due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.

He still remembered the last photo he took of Noynoy. It was when he officially stepped down and he welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte into office.

Looking back, Gil couldn’t help but be proud that he became the photographer of the highest official of the land and saw history unfold first hand. After all, he also covered Noynoy for more than six years.

With the 15th President of the Philippines gone, Gil said, “Nagawa niya na ang dapat niyang gawin.”

[He did what he was called to do.] -- Kaela Malig, GMA News