President Benigno Aquino III caused a bit of a stir on a bustling New York city sidewalk when he and some members of his entourage feasted on hotdog sandwiches bought from a corner stand.
Aquino was flanked by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, former senator Mar Roxas who was Aquino’s electoral running mate, and the group’s security detail that included members of the Presidential Security Group and the US Secret Service, according to GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo reporting from New York.
They ate at a hotdog stand on the corner of 6th Avenue and West 45th Street.
This page requires a higher version browser "It’s actually one of the things you look forward to when you come to New York," said Aquino, adding that the last time he had a New York hotdog was 11 years ago.
Aquino, who said his lunch normally consists of a sandwich and soup, pleasantly noted that the hotdogs didn't seem to have food coloring.
The total bill reached $54, or about P2,500, as Aquino also offered hotdog sandwiches to security and the media covering him, Aguinaldo reported.
When reporters noted that his presence was causing quite a stir in the area, the president said, "Ah, I should be out of here in a little while."
Before eating at the hotdog stand, Aquino had a meeting with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Aquino has been in the United States since Tuesday morning (Manila time) for a week-long working visit that includes several business meetings, the United Nations general assembly, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-US leaders' meeting.
He has so far kept his meals relatively inexpensive in contrast to the lavish dinners that his predecessor, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reportedly had during her trip to the US last year. (See: Aquino sticks to frugal lifestyle in New York)
After his lunch, Aquino went back to resume work at the Hotel Sofitel where he is billeted.
Later in the day, the President was conferred the Elizabeth Seton Medal by the Mount Saint Vincent College in New York City, where his mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino, finished her studies. (See: Cory's college confers highest honor on Noynoy)
The ceremony was witnessed by the school’s Aquino scholars and by some of his mother’s former classmates.
"It feels wonderful. I’m very honored (but) I feel a surge of sadness because I miss Cory very much," said Mary Ann Garisto, a college classmate of former President Aquino.
Aquino is expected to fly to California two days from now, where he might meet with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.—Jam L. Sisante/JV
