After serving as Makati City mayor for more than 20 years, Vice President Jejomar Binay admitted that hearing the word “mayor” still makes him turn around.

“I am not yet used to be called VP. I was called ‘mayor’ for so many years so pag may tinatawag na mayor, napapalingon pa din ako, akala ko ako yung tinatawag [when somebody calls ‘mayor,’ I turn my head, thinking I am the being called],” Binay said in a media forum.

He also told the group that he prefers being called by his nickname, “Jojo,” than being called VP during the forum.

“Puwede bang ‘Jojo’ na lang? [Can you just call me ‘Jojo’?],” he requested.

According to Binay, winning the mayoral race in Makati six times and the vice presidential race once has tempered the excitement of victory, but he admitted that he is happy people approach him for photos.

“Many, many times [Mrs. Elenita Binay] would ask me if I am excited [about getting elected]. Sabi ko hindi [I told her ‘no.’] I have been

elected six times. Ang nakakapanibago lang, I would stay inside the mall three hours puro picture [What I am not used to is when I am in the mall and I would be staying for three hours for some picture taking],” he said.

“The fact na kinukunan ka ng picture sa cellphone, gusto ka [The fact that they’re taking photos of you means they like you],” he said. “Kahit saan pumunta may eagerness sa picture-picture [Wherever I go there’s always the eagerness for taking pictures].”

At 67-year-old, Binay said he is still in the pink of health, adding that he takes time to play one-and- a half hours of badminton twice a week.

Binay served as Makati City mayor from 1988 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2010 before being elected to the second highest post in the country last May.