MANILA, Philippines — Grace Lee said Friday that President Aquino is confident that she can handle the publicity after reports on their dating hit the newsstands Friday.

“He (Aquino) leaves it up to me, I’m sure he trusts that I can handle it (the publicity),” said Lee in the noontime news program “Balitanghali,” where she hosts the show business news segment “Starbites” on GMA News TV.

On Friday, the Manila Bulletin’ front page carried a photograph – somewhat telling of their chemistry – the moment they met at the publishing firm’s 112th anniversary party in Intramuros, Manila.

Lee said that being given this big an attention by the media and the public eye is different from her being a radio and television host.

“Pero ibang level ‘to [But this is on a different level],” she said.

Born in Korea, Grace was raised in the Philippines and speaks Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano fluently.

The Korean TV and radio host also admitted that she and the President had dinner after attending the 112th anniversary of the Manila Bulletin at the Bulletin building in Intramuros, Manila, last Thursday night.

The 51-year-old bachelor-President and Lee, who left the party together, were spotted minutes later at a Japanese restaurant on UN Avenue in Manila.

Customers at the Sakura Japanese Yakiniku had a pleasant surprise to see the President and his date choose a seat at the dining area of the restaurant’s ground floor.

Although surrounded by a hoard of Presidential Security Guards in white polo barong as they walked in, it seemed Aquino and Lee were comfortable to “dine with the crowd,” instead of picking an exclusive area on Sakura’s second floor.

The President reportedly had “yakiniku” (Japanese term for grilled or inihaw), while Grace had shrimp “tempura.”

Their meeting at the Manila Bulletin anniversary was no accident as Lee is also a columnist of the Manila Bulletin while President Aquino was the guest of honor at the event.

When they crossed paths, the President gave Lee a peck and introduced her to the VIPs at his table who included former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada, Manila Bulletin Chairman Dr. Emilio T. Yap, and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma.

Last Wednesday, both President Aquino and Lee admitted that they are dating.

“Well, we’re seeing each other,” was the bachelor President’s reply when asked on the real score between him and Grace Lee.

He, however, did not disclose other details, saying that he has a right to privacy.

Despite holding the highest post in the country, Aquino’s courtship style remains “normal,” according to the Philippines-based Korean.

“I don’t know about calling everyday, I don’t wanna divulge too much details, pero yes very normal, like any normal guy,” Grace said in an interview on “24 Oras,” Feb. 2.

She has also received “a couple of chocolates and flowers” from the chief executive.

“He’s just very sweet,” Grace added.

Although she’s been part of the entertainment industry for some years now, Grace is still surprised by the outpour of attention she’s been receiving. Reporters and photographers of international wire agencies, such as Agence-France Presse (AFP), were seen tailing her on Thursday, “24 Oras” stated.

It took a while for the GMA-7 showbiz reporter to speak up about Aquino because she “wanted this to be more private.”

“We’re still at the stage of getting to know each other. And I didn’t want so many people having so much to say about what’s going on between us... I don’t think I’m gonna waste my time, spending hours of my day trying to know a man if I was not interested at all,” she related.

She may have evaded the question about Aquino’s chances on winning her heart, but Grace generously attached positive adjectives to him. At one point, she said, “He is a wonderful person…”

Grace did not reveal when she and Aquino began dating. It was recalled, though, that they first crossed paths July last year at the inauguration of Korea Electric Power Corp. power plant in Cebu. She hosted the said event.

The 29-year-old radio jock had a closer, longer encounter with the president before Christmas through an interview she did for her radio program.

According to “24 Oras,” their conversation ranged from serious topics like his visions for the country, to lighter ones such as his taste in music.

“He’s brilliant, he is the most intelligent man I’ve met in my life,” Grace enthused.

She appreciates that Aquino admitted that they are “seeing each other.”

“He’s such a gentleman. When he acknowledged it, I think that was out of respect for me because he doesn’t need this… but he did and that tells you a lot about what kind of man he is.

“He’s such an inspiring character,” Grace said in a separate interview with “TV Patrol,” adding, “To be liked by a man who leads a country is very flattering.”

While things are looking up for the two, Grace, as well as her family, are “worried… about the public attention.”

“I just didn’t think it was gonna happen this fast,” she said.

She also got concerned about their racial difference. Nevertheless, “it’s the reason why I fell in love with the Philippines in the first place, so accepting and so understanding.”