GREENBELT Hamilton. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – How often do you get text messages offering to sell you a condominium unit or two that the text claims you can afford? It looks like even President Benigno Aquino III isn’t immune to them.
Aquino disclosed Wednesday night that even he would get texts, at least two, weekly enticing him to buy one of those units.
Aquino made the admission in a speech during the 25th anniversary of Megaworld headed by Andrew Tan.
At the same time, Aquino joked that since Tan would often invite him to events like anniversaries, the president said he would return the favor by inviting the businessman on his 25th wedding anniversary.
“Andrew, since you keep inviting me to these events, perhaps you will allow me to return the favor—by publicly inviting you to my 25th wedding anniversary,” said Aquino who remains a bachelor.
“Since the countdown has not started yet, I regret that I cannot give you a date that can be blocked off by your staff,” he said.
He also kidded the business executive for his company’s marketing tactics.
“Whenever I see Dr. Andrew Tan, I always compliment him on the efficacy of his marketing staff. They never fail to send me at least two text messages inviting me to purchase one of their condominiums on a weekly basis,” said Aquino who before taking up residence in the vicinity of Malacañang lived with his mother, the late president Corazon “Cory” Aquino, at their family home in Times Street, Quezon City.
The President said that after he steps down in 2016, he may be able to reply to Megaworld’s texts since by then he would probably be working for the private sector.
Aquino lauded the company, as well as Tan, for its success and contribution to the economy.
He praised Tan for being “graceful in his success, never bitter in defeat.”
The President recalled Tan texting him one time, “Sir, the results are in. We lost the bid. The government gets the maximum value for the property, and we will keep our cash for other projects that we are more interested in.”
“This is the complete lack of self-entitlement I have always admired in Dr. Tan—the kind of humility that I have prayed, at times, for a lot more individuals to acquire from all sectors to replicate,” Aquino said.
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