President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III on Monday said he will take his oath of office as the 15th President of the Republic at the traditional site, the Quirino Gradstand at Rizal Park in Manila, with a “people’s celebration” later at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

In a chance interview at his Quezon City residence Monday afternoon, Aquino said that he will bow to tradition much as he wanted to make changes.

"As much as possible, we will observe tradition but the inauguration is the first step of the administration and it has to send a clear cut message. That is why we will implement some changes. Where there is no conflict between tradition and change, that is what we will observe," he told reporters.

Aquino said there will be a "people's celebration" at the Quezon Memorial Circle which had earlier been suggested as the site of the oath-taking.

"The normal oath-taking will take place at Quirino (grandstand) but what is more important is the people's celebration at the QCMC," he said, adding that the event in Quezon City will be a street party that is open to all.

Before the noontime oath-taking, Aquino will visit his parents' grave at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. He will be accompanied by his sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Viel Aquino-Dee, and Kris Aquino-Yap, together with their families.

After his oath-taking, he will meet his Cabinet at Malacañang and then the Diplomatic Corps in a 6 p.m. vin d' honneur.

Aquino said the traditional limousine ride with the outgoing President "is one of the details that is being worked out" like his official residence.

Places being eyed for incoming the President's official residence are the Arlegui Mansion, the Bahay Pangarap, and the Goldenberg Mansion, all inside the Malacañang compound.

If the ride with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will push through, Aquino promised to be polite to his former Economics teacher.

"(If it does pursue), perhaps I will accord her all dignity due of the Office (of the President), the respect due an elder and especially the fact that she is a woman. I will give justice to my parents who raised me to be respectful," he said.