{"id":241757,"date":"2012-08-03T02:23:55","date_gmt":"2012-08-02T18:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/?p=241757"},"modified":"2012-08-03T02:23:55","modified_gmt":"2012-08-02T18:23:55","slug":"student-steals-kiss-from-aquino-scares-psg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/241757\/student-steals-kiss-from-aquino-scares-psg","title":{"rendered":"Student steals kiss from Aquino, scares PSG"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

PERKS OF PRESIDENCY President Aquino smiles as Maria Janua B. Polinar surprises him with a hug during the awarding of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in Malaca\u00f1ang on Thursday. LYN RILLON<\/p><\/div>\n

Like the song says, a kiss is just a kiss. But 22-year-old Maria Janua Polinar\u2019s peck on the cheek of President Benigno Aquino almost sent the presidential security guards coming to the rescue.<\/p>\n\n

It was a \u201cdream come true\u201d for Polinar, one of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) awardees, who took the liberty of embracing the President soon after she was handed a plaque in Malaca\u00f1ang Thursday.<\/p>\n\n

A startled Mr. Aquino embraced her, too, but the bachelor President looked rather uneasy.<\/p>\n\n

The crowd of students and academicians at the Rizal Ballroom broke into applause when she suddenly planted a kiss on his cheek.<\/p>\n\n

When asked later if he saw the kiss coming, the President said: \u201cShe asked for my permission. She said, \u2018Sir, pwede pa-hug (Sir, can I give you a hug)? I replied, \u2018No problem.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Abruptly changing the topic, he said, \u201cI hope all of them will be successful, including the other finalists, and may their dreams continue to live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Fascination<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Polinar explained that she was looking forward to the awarding ceremony in the Palace because of her fascination with the presidency.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cI took political science, so we\u2019re really studying the government … Seeing him in person was, \u2018My God! This is the reality!\u2019 This is really political science. You\u2019re studying it, now you\u2019re seeing the physical structure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Asked to recall what transpired before the kiss, she fondly recalled asking Mr. Aquino\u2019s permission.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cHe said, \u2018Sure.\u2019 Before the picture-taking, other higher officials on stage said, \u2018You know if the presidential security guards saw you, they won\u2019t really allow you.\u2019 But the President defended me: \u2018No, she asked permission, so it\u2019s okay.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Magical moment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The meeting with the President became a magical moment for the starstruck Polinar, who is now taking up law.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m starstruck,\u201d she said, recalling that she had felt this way since Mr. Aquino delivered his State of the Nation Address on July 23.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cHe was really fighting corruption, reporting on the improvements in government. Meeting him in person, with all those developments in the Philippines, is like, \u2018Wow!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Polinar graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Central Mindanao University (CMU).<\/p>\n\n

A multiawarded student leader, Polinar was a trainer and facilitator of the Citizen\u2019s Voter Education program at CMU, and the antidrug campaign \u201cBarkada Kontra Droga Advocacy\u201d of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.<\/p>\n\n

She was also a student parliamentarian.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cBeing excellent and outstanding are two things that are equally significant in today\u2019s society. Being excellent is a quality that would undermine inequality, injustice and inefficiency. Being outstanding, on the other hand, is a quality that would undermine disrespect, dishonesty and disobedience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n

Honorees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The other TOSP 2012 awardees are: Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante, Ateneo de Manila University; Angelita Adajar Bombarda, De La Salle University; Jerome Ven David, De La Salle University-Manila; John Michael Flores Dellariarte, Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Daniel Philip Villaranda Dy, Ateneo de Naga University; Jay-R Mesa Mendoza, University of Rizal System-Morong Campus; Ruthell Angusto Moreno, West Visayas State University; Maria Janua Bacolod Polinar, Central Mindanao University; Kurt Gerrard Tiu See, De La Salle University-Manila; and Juan Carlo Pe Tejano, University of the Philippines-Diliman.<\/p>\n\n

The TOSP, established 51 years ago, honors students exemplifying exemplary leadership and superior academic performance and actively contributing to nation-building through the auspices of RFM Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and National Bookstore.<\/p>\n\n

Jose Concepcion Jr., chair of the RFM Foundation, said TOSP awardees and finalists \u201crepresent our greatest hope and brighter tomorrow for our beloved country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Thanks from Aquino<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for ensuring that the flame of servant leadership and nation-building burns brightly throughout the country,\u201d said Concepcion.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\n

In his speech, President Aquino urged the youth to participate in nation-building by showing compassion and generosity to others.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cGod has blessed you … What would you do now? Will you pursue personal gains, or will you look after the welfare of others?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n

The chief executive called on the youth to remain committed to initiating and inspiring projects and programs for the country\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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