Shalani Soledad is very much her own simple person. (Photo by MICHAEL VARCAS)

Their story has all the elements of a romantic movie, even reminiscent of the film “The American President."

Girl reporter interviews boy congressman for a story. Nothing follows after that first encounter – until three years later, when girl, now a city councilor, sees boy, now a senator, in a restaurant. Boy invites girl and her group for coffee. Girl is almost skeptical.

But over cups of coffee on that drizzling day in 2008, the two get to know each other. Phone calls, visits and informal dinners ensue, and before they know it, they are officially a couple.

This story could have happened to anyone – except that it was made more exciting by the fact that boy is the country’s most eligible bachelor, presidential candidate Senator Benigno
“Noynoy" Aquino III, and girl is the gutsy councilor of Valenzuela City Shalani Soledad.

For someone who has led a very public life – what with a hero for a father, a former president for a mother, and a high-profile celebrity for a sister – every detail of Noynoy Aquino’s life seems to be for public consumption. But only until the media got wind of the fact that yes, he has a girlfriend; yes, she is very attractive; and yes, she is smart and a public official too, that people began to see Noynoy in a new, different and definitely more interesting light.

But far from the maddening crowd, Shalani is very much her own simple person. She has served as councilor of Valenzuela City for two terms now and is seeking a third term. Prior to that, she had hosting and reporting stints for UNTV, straight from her job as a staff member of Senator Panfilo Lacson and from her studies at the De La Salle University-College of St. Benilde.

Indeed, there is more to her than just her pretty face and being the girlfriend of Noynoy Aquino.

“At least here in Valenzuela, when people see me, tawag nila sa akin Konsehala pa rin. Outside, when people see me, ang tawag nila sa akin, girlfriend ni Noynoy. But at the end of the day, kapatid lang din ako, anak ako na pinagsasabihan ng mommy ko, kaibigan ako, and that keeps me grounded. Being in public office is not the be all and end all of who I am,’’ quips Shalani, who is turning 30 years old this month.

Shalani likes it that people come up to her because they already instantly recognize her. “I take it as a positive side of Noy’s campaign, kasi how people react to me, I see it as an extension of how they see Noy,’’ she says.

At the moment, Shalani is busy pushing forth both her election and Noynoy’s, going on a house-to-house campaign, in her signature yellow shirt of course. If her beau makes it to Malacañang, Shalani sees herself as a strong back-up support for Noynoy.

Meanwhile, the question of marriage is forever hovering over this couple’s heads. But Shalani is taking it one sweet day at a time. “The results of an election is not enough to be the basis of taking a relationship to the next step. Kami kasi ni Noy, like any other couple, we have our issues that we are working on together. Hopefully, when the defining moment comes, we will be able to pass it successfully together,’’ she says, as she flashes that smile that certainly charmed and could very well soon end the halcyon, bachelor days of a possible future President of the land. (Ivy Mendoza)

STUDENTS AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN (SCB): What inspired you to enter politics?

SHALANI SOLEDAD (SS): It was my uncle, Tito Mon, who was supposed to run but one time over dinner, out of the blue, he just said matanda na raw siya at ako na lang daw ang tumakbo in 2004. Ako naman, I readily said yes without really thinking how hard the job would be, and I discovered that I enjoy the job. Totoo pala ‘yung sinasabi nila na sense of fulfillment when you can contribute to the development of other people’s lives. That for me, is what makes me stay in this job.

SCB: How did you view politics before you entered this arena?

SS: I really had no plans. I was still in school and at the same time, I was with the office of Sen. Ping Lacson as part of his executive staff. I did not have a five-year plan. That just goes to show how destiny works. It is not something you really plan. Masu-surprise ka na lang sa situation na nandun ka na. And thankfully for me, this job has given me so much more.

SCB: Are you a people person, in a sense that you know most people in your community?

SS: In that sense, my family is more outgoing than I am. I tend to have a small set of friends. The friends I had in elementary are still my best friends today. Mas nangangapitbahay
‘yung brother ko, mga pinsan ko. Ako mas kilala ako as the kapatid, as the pamangkin, as the cousin. They are very active in sports. Every summer, without fail, meron silang
basketball team, and every summer sasabihin nila hindi ka namin kukuning muse. (laughs) And every summer din, wala silang nakukuha kundi ako din. (laughs)

SCB: Before entering politics, did you have a pre-conceived notion about this field?

SS: All of us have our own perception of what politics is. Iniisip natin na dapat 24 hours nagtatrabaho ang mga public servants para sa atin. Nagagalit ang tao sa daang lubak-lubak, minumura natin ‘yung mayor. Pero hindi natin alam, kapag national roads pala, walang say ang local government and local officials. Responsibility ito ng mga nationally- elected officials. You have the purest and the nicest intention there is. In passing a law, it starts with a proposal, and you submit to the body or like in our case, to the city council. But kahit gaano kaganda ‘yung proposal mo if you don’t get the majority of votes you would not see the bill in action. ‘Yun ang totoo. And even if it’s passed, if it becomes an ordinance in our case, pag hindi pina-implement ng mayor, that ordinance wouldn’t see the light of day.

SCB: Don’t you get frustrated when the ordinances are not implemented?

SS: Hindi lang sa ordinances. There are also certain things that you would want to see the government doing. Corruption for instance. Sabi nga ni Senator Noynoy kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap. It sounds like a motherhood statement or a cliché already, pero napaka simple for me ng computation. Let’s say, ang budget for education is R10,000, for the school, the facilities equipment. Now kung ‘yung R10,000 natin mababawasan pa ‘yan ng 20 or 40 percent, ang laki ng nawawala na imbes na additional classrooms, additional school facilities, which in the end affects ‘yung quality of education na binibigay natin. Sana kung ano na lang talaga ‘yung dapat.

As days go by, I get more immersed into the issues. Mas dumadami ‘yung alam ko. ‘Yung access mo about the information, nag widen unlike before na wala ka sa city government. Nagagalit ka kasi tingin mo lang hindi ginagawa ‘yung trabaho, pero who’s job it is, who’s to blame, whose responsibility it is, ano ‘yung dapat mong gawin para makatulong ka rin.

SCB: What’s the most painful compromise you had to make in your young political life?

SS: Compromise in the sense that people who you think are your friends turn out to be not. Masakit ‘yun. The biggest compromise is the fact na pag meron kang hindi gusto, or you don’t necessarily agree with what is being said, but it gets the majority of the votes, and you get the project implemented, ‘yun masakit. Kasi pinaniniwalaan mo, pinaninindigan mo na hindi tama ‘yun, pero sa boto it will be carried out, it will be implemented.

SCB: Are there more negatives than positives then?

SS: If you look at it that way, may nangyayari talaga na hindi mo gusto. Pero kasi pag nakikita mo naman ‘yung side na may natutulungan ka, isang tao lang ang lumapit at magsabi sa’yo na maraming salamat at nakatulong ka sa amin, ang sarap na ng feeling.

SCB: As a councilor, what were the bills that you were able to pass?

SS: During my first term, I was the chair of Women and Family Affairs committee and I had a pet project which I’m very proud of. It is the Early Care and Childhood Development project that aims to monitor and develop skills of the newborn up until seven years old. We were able to get national funding for this and were able to pilot it in six barangays. This is now being implemented in all the barangays in Valenzuela. Pinakikinabangan na ng bawat barangay in all day care and health care centers. Nakakatuwa.

On my second term, I’m the chair of the Committee on Appropriations and Ways and Means. So almost all the monetary requirements and ordinances of the city as well as the barangay budgets pass through my committee. This is more work because you are dealing with the budget of the whole city and of the barangay. Pati ‘yung annual spending nila, you get to check that, you get to monitor kung ano ‘yung dapat nilang pagkagastusan, magkano.

SCB: Do you see yourself seeking higher office?

SS: (Laughs) For the past two or three years na, nililigawan ako ng partido ko to run for a higher office. Siyempre maganda rin ‘yung may increment, masarap din na tumataas ka. Like what I’ve said this is something that I really love, this is something that I really take pride in. Hopefully, the opportunity for me to run again for a higher office is still there.

MEETING NOYNOY

SCB: How do you assert your individuality, especially now that you’re more known as Sen. Noynoy’s girlfriend?

SS: At least here in Valenzuela, when people see me, tawag nila sa akin Konsehala pa rin. Outside, when people see me, ang tawag nila sa akin, girlfriend ni Noynoy. (laughs)

Masarap in a way kasi si Noy mabait na tao and for you to be associated with someone na mabait na tao, maganda ‘yung intention for the country, nakakatuwa.

Pero more than that, sabi ko nga, I also have my own self, my own personality. Hindi ko kasi mahawakan ‘yung perception ng ibang tao. But here in Valenzuela, people know me, see me as Konsehala Shalani. And at the end of the day, kapatid lang din ako, anak ako na pinagsasabihan ng mommy ko, kaibigan ako, and that keeps me grounded. (laughs) Being in public office is not the be all and end all of who I am.

SCB: You worked at Senator Lacson’s office. Is this where you met Senator Noynoy?

SS: Oh no. The first time was in 2005, I was then with UNTV and I was covering the 2005 SONA (State of the Nation Address) and I interviewed him. It was just a short interview with the then Congressman Noy. In 2008 nagkita ulit kami. This is now the publicly known meeting at Alfredo’s (restaurant).

SCB: But did he remember that you had an encounter three years prior to the Alfredo’s meeting?

SS: Something like that. Natatandaan niya because my question during the interview was not really about the SONA but it was about Kris Aquino! Ang natatandaan niya meron daw nag-interview sa kanya na of all questions daw, si Kris Aquino ang tinatanong at the height of the 2005 SONA!
Later on sabi ko, you know Noy, I asked that question after we already got a soundbite of your answer about the SONA. Ang daming media eh so lahat kami nakatutok sa kanya so nakakuha na kami ng soundbites niya, about Gloria, about Hello Garci, about the impeachment. Sabi ko, ang human interest talaga of the story would be Kris Aquino.

SCB: So he remembered you!

SS: Yes. Sabi niya, you know, I remember there was this reporter who, of all questions,
asked me about Kris. In fact I even told him, alam mo Noy, I voted for you during the 2007 elections because of Kris. I’m a fan of Kris.

SCB: And the second meeting?

SS: We were having dinner at Alfredo’s with our vice mayor and three other councilors, we were into heavy discussion. Senator Noy and his staff and a couple of his friends were also there. After our meeting, nagpapicture kami with Senator Noy...

SCB: And?

SS: (Laughs) Nagpapicture kami. Si Noy, kasi when you talk to him very engaging ‘yung conversation talaga. Sabi niya, I’m the chair of the local government committee, baka there are certain amendments you would want to introduce.

SCB: ‘Yun na! (laughs)

SS: And then my fellow councilor asked him, “Sir do you have a card?’’ Sabi niya, “No, I don’t carry with me a card.’’ And then the staff got all our numbers. To us kasi in public office, getting someone’s number is what we do to also widen our network, that is normal, we didn’t think much of it. So kinuha ang numbers namin.

And then across there is a Starbucks where Noy’s group went for coffee. It started drizzling and we couldn’t cross because we also planned on having coffee after dinner. Tapos nag-ring ang phone ng vice mayor namin. It was a staff of Noy and he was inviting us to join them for coffee.
Sabi ng vice mayor namin, na nag-iinvite nga si Senator Noy and none of us believed him. Sabi ko pa nga, naku Vice, tigilan mo kami! But true enough, pagdating namin sa Starbucks, ‘yung staff ni Noy nandun, hinihintay kami and taking our orders. So totoo pala!

SCB: How did that coffee meeting turn out?

SS: When we got there, there was a long table kasi ang dami namin. We were having a good conversation. We were seated across each other.

And then it got to a point na sabi ni Noynoy, 20 years ago na ambush daw siya, merong coup, president pa si Tita Cory, nabaril daw siya and three of his PSG were gunned down, natamaan din siya. In fact, meron siyang bullet wound on his neck and he was lucky enough to survive kasi grabe raw ‘yung situation. Ang sabi ko naman, you know Senator Noy, baka hindi mo pa talaga time, baka meron ka pa talagang mga dapat gawin...

SCB: ...at dapat ma-meet... (laughs).

SS: Eto na! Sabi ni Noy, baka nga, dahil 20 years after, makikila pala kita.

SCB: Yes! (laughs) Kinilig ka?

SS: No naman. (smiles)

SCB: How did it progress from there?

SS: Of course, it started with phone calls. Ganun.

SCB: Didn’t you get intimidated? He is a senator, the son of a former President, the brother of your idol…

SS: Kasi with Noy he would really put you at ease, hindi siya ‘yung nangi-intimidate eh.

SCB: Was there an attraction?

SS: Yes, kasi masarap siya kausap eh.

SCB: How did you and Senator Noy become “official’’?

SS: It’s there eh. It’s not like it was planned. We had a date when we became a couple, pero it was very natural. It wasn’t planned. We don’t celebrate a monthsary, we celebrated our first anniversary, pero medyo iba. At that time he was on a retreat in Zamboanga. This was before he announced that he was running. So we were just talking over the phone. Nasa retreat siya at nasa Naga ako.

SCB: How did you break the news to your family that you were officially on with Senator Noynoy?

SS: I think gradual naman kasi from the start, nagpupunta dito sa bahay si Noy. There was a time na nakasama pa siya sa akin ‘pag nagaattend ako ng wakes dito sa Valenzuela. The traditional panliligaw.

Ang sabi ng mommy ko, halos every night kasama namin si Noy, we would be going out, eat out and may time pa na nag Timezone kami. Sabi ng mommy ko, senador ‘yan, baka nakakalimutan mo, you seem to be treating him as a typical, regular guy and certain decorum is expected.

SCB: Was your family starstruck with Senator Noynoy?

SS: I think baligtad, na starstruck sila at how simple Noy is. Walang facade, walang kaarte-arte, walang kayabang-yabang. Usually ‘yung iba pag na meet mo in person, parang ang daming walls, given the fact na senator siya. Pero si Noy kasi hindi eh, very normal na tao. Mararamdaman mo lang talaga na sikat pala ‘yung kasama mo pag nagdidinner out kayo may lalapit, may magpapapicture. In fact during one of those first few dates, pag may magpapapicture kay Noy, nag-aapologize siya. Sabi niya sa akin “Pasensya ka na ha, instead of going about our business I have to attend to the requests.’’ Sabi ko it’s ok. Kasi naiintindihan ko na kasama ‘yan sa trabaho. Pag dumating ‘yung time na wala ng nagpapapicture sa iyo ‘yun ‘yung time na dapat kang mag worry.

SCB: Pero sa Valenzuela, ikaw ang sikat!

SS: (Laughs) Gusto ko i-claim!

SCB: How do you date a public figure?

SS: Me times na me staff na kasama si Noy, the driver, pero there are also times na siya ang nagda-drive. I think it relaxes him also, especially when it’s a long drive.

I have to tell you this. Si Noy, after Senate hours, ayaw na niyang ginagamit ‘yung plaka nung senator. Pinapatanggal na niya ‘yun. Kahit past 12 na or one, ayaw niya ‘yung nagse-swerve. Dun ka lang sa proper lane mo. At kahit na one o’ clock in the morning na ‘yan, kapag naka-stop ‘yan, kahit wala kang ibang kasabay, you should follow traffic rules and regulations.

I asked him once, kahit wala ka bang nakikitang kasabay tapos red light, hindi mo pa rin gino-go. Sabi niya, “Hindi, mambabatas ako eh. Kung ako mismo hindi susunod, paano pa ‘yung iba?”

STAYING GROUNDED

SCB: So how do you take the fact that people now recognize you on your own, even outside of Valenzuela, because you’re Noy’s girlfriend?

SS: I take it as a positive side of Noy’s campaign, kasi how people react to me, I see it as an extension of how they see Noy.

When people come up to me, overwhelming ‘yun, kasi makikita mo ‘yung support nila for Noy. Lumalapit sila kay Noy, sinsabi nila na tulungan ko si Noy, na tutulong sila at kasama namin sila, at nakakatuwa. I think it as a positive side for the candidacy of Noy.

SCB: Do you talk about politics?

SS: Not as much kasi parang pagod na especially now ‘pag campaign.

SCB: Showbiz?

SS: Hindi niya interest, mas ako (laughs).

SCB: What then are your common interests?

SS: Love for family, love for our work, love for our country, simple things. We enjoy watching movies, eating out, nothing grand.

SCB: What’s the best material gift that you’ve gotten from Senator Noy and vice versa?

SS: You have to ask him kung anong best gift from me. Sa akin, it wasn’t a gift, but when he lent me one of his watches. It was a Swatch.

If I were to be asked kung ano ‘yung luho ko sa buhay, it would be watches. I try to have a collection, kaya lang kasi kuripot ako. Most of the good watches don’t come cheap so kailangan pag-ipunan mo pa. One time, we were seated together, tinitingnan ko lang ‘yung watch niya, sabi niya, “O sige na, pinapahiram ko na sa iyo, kanina mo pa tinitingnan.” I had it for more than a year or almost a year. Sinoli ko na nung namatay si Tita Cory because I felt it might give him a little comfort.

SCB: Did you get to meet the former President?

SS: Yes, for a couple of Sunday lunches. The first meeting was ok naman. In fact, I remember Noy was asking after the first time I had lunch with his family how it was for me. I think he was waiting for me to tell him na starstruck ako kay President Cory. Pero in fact, na starstruck ako kay Kris!

SCB: (laughs)

SS: I’m a fan talaga. Totoo siya. Very real, very honest, and you hardly get to see that nowadays. Kris always remains true to herself.

SCB: How do you get along with his sisters, Kris especially?

SS: Ok naman. In fact, wala naman sila pinakita sa akin to think of them otherwise.

SCB: Does he have quirks that you have learned to accept, and vice-versa?

SS: Well, his smoking habit. In fact, that was one of the few agreements we had. He asked me, “Does it bother you that I smoke?” But this was before I knew the extent of his smoking
habits ha. Sabi ko, no, ok lang. “So it won’t bother you? Sige ha, this is non-negotiable.” Pero later on nung nalaman ko yung extent, hindi ko siya mabalikan because I promised eh. So pag binabalikan ko siya sinasabi niya, “Aha, you promised!’ Sabi ko, “No, you got me on a technicality!”

SCB: Eh siya about you? Makulit ka ba?

SS: In terms lang of time management.

SCB: Do you have the same preference for music?

SS: Mas diverse ang taste ni Noy. Ako, medyo R&B, bossa, jazz…

SCB: Since there is a 20 year-difference, do you sometimes feel there is a generation
gap, in music for instance?

SS: Yes, yes, pero what’s nice is, he introduces them to me. And at the same time, ‘yung mga newer ones, I introduce them.

SCB: So you enrich each other?

SS: Yes. Binigyan ko siya ng Neyo, ng Beyonce. Pag nakita niyo ‘yung collection ni Noy ng DVDs and CDs, you would love it there kasi almost all the songs that you would want meron siya. And siya ang nagco-compile ah. And take note, he has his iPod and siya ang nagu-upload. Updated yun.

SCB: Nung binigyan mo siya ng Beyonce, nasa iPod din ba niya? Single Ladies? (laughs)

SS: Ah, sabi niya he prefers the other songs. Pero pag nakita mo yung collection niya, siya talaga mismo nagu-upload sa iPod niya.

SCB: Is he sweet?

SS: Ah yes. Pag hindi pagod. But now kasi pag nakita mo si Noy, may mga times na medyo magtatampo ka, pero pag nakausap mo na siya, magi-guilty ka pa na nagtampo ka.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

SCB: Did you have any influence on his decision to run as president?

SS: That you have to ask him. Before he announced, sinabi niya sa akin. Beforehand, sinabi ko na rin kay Noy na whatever his decision would be, naka-suporta ako.

SCB: But has there been anything negative about this whole campaign for you?

SS: We don’t get to spend as much time as we would have wanted.

SCB: So do you wish the elections were over?

SS: (laughs) Nung una, iniisip ko, sana tapos na eleksiyon. But after the elections, especially kung manalo si Noy, parang mas marami ‘yung trabaho eh. It’s a 24-hour job, lahat ng maisip mo, responsibility ng presidente. Sana magkaroon din ng time, as much as we had before.

SCB: If Noy wins, what role do you see yourself playing?

SS: As a strong support, a strong back-up support for Noy. But if I get re-elected as councilor of Valenzuela, siyempre may tungkulin din ako. Hindi ko puwedeng pabayaan ‘yun.

SCB: What kind of a president do you think he will be?

SS: Si Noy, contrary to reports, cannot be easily swayed. This I have to tell you. He really is set in his own beliefs, na pag tama, tama. ‘Yun ang values kasi ni Noy eh. Walang grey area and hindi ka niya itotolerate.

But what’s also nice about Noy is that before he makes a decision, he will try to consult each and every person involved. He will try to consider what you have to say and what the other side has to say also. But at the end of the day, he would decide based on his beliefs and based on sa pamantayan na ano ba ‘yung tama at ano ba ‘yung dapat. But he would get and try to listen to you and to the other persons’s side. ‘Yun ang maganda kay Noy. Hindi ‘yung dahil lang sa gusto niya at dahil lang ito ‘yung popular decision.

SCB: How about politics, has it changed you, has it made you more cynical or have you retained your idealism despite the compromises you’ve had to make in your political career?

SS: When Noy decided to run and he said the phrase na “Ngayon puwede na ulit mangarap,” ang laki nung impact nun sa akin. Kasi kung ‘yung pinakamataas na official natin who would really lead us by example, makikita mo yung values niya, makikita mo ano ‘yung klase ng government na gusto niya magkaroon tayo, na puwede na ulit mangarap. Ang sarap nun. ‘Yun ‘yung gusto ko, ‘yun ‘yung pinaniniwalaan ko. And I’m sure most of us ‘yun din ang gusto eh, ‘yun din ‘yung pinaniniwalaan. And no matter how cynical sometimes we may get, at the end of the day, hopeful pa rin tayo. Kasi that’s what keeps us going eh. ‘Yung hope na tomorrow will be better, na we can do better and that there is a better thing for all of us. That’s what keeps us better.

SCB: Do you also worry that if Noynoy wins, your political life may be affected adversely in a way that you could get something passed because the President
is your boyfriend?

SS: That’s a thought. But Noy is very fair eh. So kung may request man ang Valenzuela through me, it would be something that we really need. Sana wag makulayan kasi hindi naman kami hihingi ng labis labis.

SCB: Are you willing to give up your political career for Noynoy? What if he asked you?

SS: Noy understands that I love what I do so I don’t think he would impose, just like when I was torn between running for a higher office and running for re-election. He did not impose on anything. Sabi nga niya, “You know you were in that career before I even met you. It’s something that you love. So you might as well make up your mind kung ano yung gusto talaga.”

SCB: Pag naging presidente na si Noy, mawawala na ang traffic sa Valenzuela (laughs).

SS: (Laughs). So I’m guessing you had a bad experience on the road….

LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER

SCB: What have you learned from Senator Noy?

SS: To be true to yourself. At saka ‘yung principles mo, through hell or high water, dapat intact. You should really stand up for it. At hindi importante ang material things.

Kasi si Noy, set ‘yung values niya, nakikita mo. Kahit anong situation, kahit anong mangyari sa kaniya, makikita mo kung gaano ka-set ‘yung values niya. Sometimes, kahit wala siyang sinasabi, kapag naiisip ko si Noy and what he will do in a certain situation, sometimes that’s enough to guide me also.

SCB: How did you influence Senator Noy? In what aspect of his personality can people now see the Shalani touch?

SS: Ako ang nagpapasakit ng ulo niya (laughs). I think we see and bring out positive effects in each other. Siyempre, when you’re in love, you tend to be more patient, there is inspiration. Nagkakagulo na sila diyan pero ikaw bright-eyed ka pa rin. Siguro, knowing na alam niya na meron pang isang tao na maasahan, gives him a little confidence also.

SCB: Do you think you have become a better person because of your association with Noy?

SS: Yes. Better in a way na nakikita ko kasi na kahit in small things, like I have improved on my time management. Now, I’m proud to say on time ako (laughs). Stuff like that. And he also enables me to be more patient and understanding of the situation. Hindi puwedeng ikaw lang ‘yung parati mong iisipin because there is more to the world and to life than just you. Hindi lang sa iyo umiikot ang mundo.

HER OWN PERSON

SCB: So what’s with your name?

SS: Actually there are two stories eh, I don’t know which one is true. Well one is sabi ng mommy ko nakuha sa baby book, and the other one was that my uncle wanted Sheila while my lola wanted Lani, so they joined the two together. So my two versions, kini-claim ko na rin ‘yung dalawa.

SCB: Do you have any sports?

SS: I try to play badminton.

SCB: Any hobbies?

SS: I love reading. I love watching movies. And na-realize ko lang na matanda na ako is when I really appreciate sleeping. You know, having the time to sleep. And kung manunuod ako ng TV ang hinihintay ko nalang news. That’s when I knew na matanda na ako.

SCB: Despite the heavy work, plus the campaign now for both you and Senator Noy, how do you keep yourself pretty? (laughs)

SS: Hindi hiyang na (laughs). I don’t really have a skin care secret. Just a basic moisturizer.
Everyday bago ka matulog, wash your face. Cleanse your face, that’s all.

SCB: Are you more careful about your image now when you are out in public because everything you do might reflect on Noy?

SS: Sa dressing siguro. Kasi very laid back and casual ako. I go to the supermarket na naka slippers, naka shorts. Ngayon ‘yung length ng shorts ko chinecheck ko na. Hindi na puwedeng super maikli, you know just to be careful. Pero in terms of how I act, ako very normal kasi. What you see now, this is really me.

SCB: What kind of books do you read?

SS: Of course mga romantic novels, mga chicklit, but I also enjoy yung mga thriller, suspense.

SCB: So ikaw ba ‘yung type na mga candle-lit dinner, flowers, chocolates?

SS: Funny you should say that. Kami ni Noy early on we decided no flowers. We’d rather give food. Mas ma-aappreciate. Matakaw kami, we love to eat.

SCB: Are you a beach person or the mountain type of person?

SS: I’m a beach person, but Noy wants ‘yung mga cool climates ganyan. Wala pa kaming chance na mag-vacation pa ulit. Hopefully sana, we’ll find time.

READY FOR THE FUTURE

SCB: When Noy announced the fact that he was going to run for president, people were very curious about you, looking for you for interviews. What brought about the change?

SS: I guess it also stems from the fact that Noy is the only bachelor in the Senate. Na-hype pa when he announced he was going to run for presidency so nagkaroon ng bigger focus sa personal life ni Senator Noy more than being the son of the former president, more than being the brother of Kris. Kasi si Noy hindi siya mahilig mag-grandstand, to grab the spotlight. But when the need arises for him to step up, he steps up.

SCB: When you hear something negative about him, how do you react? Do you feel the urge to defend him?

SS: Siyempre maiinis ka, especially nung time na ‘yung attack sa kanya was about his mental capacity. Noy answered that in a way na siya lang talaga makakasagot. He really has a way of answering na talagang siyang siya. I think it was Ted Failon who asked him na, “O ano yung comment mo, they’re saying na autistic ka.” Sabi ni Noy, “You know Ted, kung autistic ako, pagtiya-tiyagaan mo ba akong kausap for more than a couple of minutes? Siyempre hindi.” Mga lowblow ‘yun eh kasi it’s too personal. Character assassination.

SCB: So does he listen to you?

SS: I give him my insights and he listens. I think that’s one of his best and great qualities. Hindi lang sa akin, but to each and everyone. He really listens when you talk to him. Kayo nakaharap niyo si Noy. He listens. Hindi yung uupuan niya kayo tapos “Ay magaling ako, ako lang ang dapat magsalita.”

But he’s a fast speaker. Mabilis siya, ‘yung train of thought niya mabilis. Pero si Noy he won’t issue a motherhood statement eh, if you check his interviews, pag tinanong ninyo siya ano yung balak niyo sa isang branch of government, he will not just say tatanggalin ko ‘yung corruption. Specific.

SCB: Are you ready for a more public life, in the event na manalo si Senator Noy?

SS: Actually tinatanong ko din ‘yan sa sarili ko eh. I pray for that because ang number one concern ko is ‘yung relationship namin ni Noy. Sana we would have more time for each other also. Kaya lang hindi ka din puwede mag-demand because you should also know the needs and the requirements of the work that he’s getting himself into. Ang hirap, and hindi mo puwede sabihin na teka time out ka muna diyan sa trabaho mo. Ang perception kasi eh, you know, “Presidente ka, the most powerful, pinakamasarap na position,” but ‘yung trabaho talaga, ‘yung work load na naghihintay sa iyo. It’s really a huge, huge task.

SCB: So how will you still be able to date?

SS: (Laughs) We’ll find a way, we’ll find a way…

SCB: Meron ka na bang designer na gagawa ng mga damit mo?

SS: Ah wala pa yung isip ko diyan, nasa campaign mode pa ako. Actually, ikaw pa lang ang nag-mention niyan!

SCB: The question of marriage will eventually crop up, especially when Noy wins. Are you ready for that?

SS: (laughs) Tinatanong din ako ng iba niyan. Iniisip ko nga, bakit sa babae lang nila tinatanong ‘yan (laughs)?

Seriously, the result of an election is not enough to be the basis of taking a relationship
to the next step. Kami kasi ni Noy, like any other couple, we have our issues that we are working on together. Hopefully, when the defining moment comes, we will be able to pass it successfully together.

SCB: Ano yung term of endearment niyo for each other?

SS: Huwag na (laughs). Secret na ’yun. Magagalit na si Noy (laughs).

(Interviewed by RACHEL C. BARAWID, ANGELO G. GARCIA, RONALD S. LIM, JASER A. MARASIGAN, and IVY LISA F. MENDOZA.)