That certain smile

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Here’s what Pres. Aquino said about smiling at the #SAF 44 commandos’ wake – 

Exclusive

by Raïssa Robles

When my request to interview President Aquino was unexpectedly granted last week, Malacañang Palace asked me, again, for a list of  interview questions. I had submitted a list months ago, but apparently they wanted a new copy.

I debated with myself whether I should take the opportunity to include something that had puzzled me for a long time.

It had to do with his facial expression during dramatic, tense moments. It seemed in many of these moments he was smiling – some said smirking.

I decided to submit it anyway.

Mindful he might walk out or terminate the interview abruptly, I waited until the latter part of the interview that lasted over two hours before I asked the question.

You could hear a pin drop in that vast room as his face visibly changed when he replied. Here’s what he said and it’s now on the front page of South China Morning Post online:

During the editing of my piece, my editor asked me to verify a photo he found online of Aquino, taken after he was shot in 1987.

He was also smiling.

Here is an excerpt of the top story on SCMP’s website today –

Philippine president Aquino explains why his smile shouldn’t make people angry

Raïssa Robles in Manila

UPDATED : Tuesday, 21 April, 2015, 8:42am

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has explained why people sometimes misunderstand his awkward smile – including in the wake of the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy in which eight Hongkongers died.

“I have various smiles for various purposes,” he told the South China Morning Post in an exclusive interview, as he recounted the outrage his enigmatic expressions have caused.

“Usually I have a particular smile when I am so fed up.”

Aquino is well known for smiling during moments when it would seem inappropriate. Earlier this year, he set off a storm of controversy in the Philippines when he appeared to smile at the wake for 44 commandos who were killed in a disastrous anti-terror operation in country’s Muslim majority south.

But it was an earlier smiling incident that is perhaps better known to Hongkongers.

In the aftermath of the 2010 Manila hostage crisis – in which disgruntled former Philippine policeman Rolando Mendoza hijacked a bus of tourists, leading to the deaths of eight Hongkongers – Aquino attracted furious criticism after appearing to smile at a press conference.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

UPDATE as of 12:31 PM, April 21, 2015:

Here’s what victims of the bus hostage crisis said in reaction to Aquino’s explanation:

Smiling Benigno Aquino ‘ridiculous’ and ‘lacking empathy’, Manila hostage crisis survivors say

By Samuel Chan

[email protected]

Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s reason for smiling after the 2010 Manila hostage crisis in which eight Hongkongers died was “ridiculous”, survivors said, accusing him of lacking empathy.

Aquino attracted furious criticism after disgruntled former Philippine policeman Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus, leading to a deadly shoot-out with police, when he appeared to smile at a press conference following the incident.

But the Philippine president told the South China Morning Post in an exclusive interview published today that “it was the absurdity” that made him smile briefly at the time.

“Some people will curse, will shout to high heavens… [the smile] is an effort to control [my emotions and actions],” he said.

But two survivors of the crisis agreed that “ridiculous” was the first word that came to mind when they heard Aquino’s reason for smiling.

One of them, Lee Ying-chuen, said Aquino’s attitude over the past five years, including his latest explanation, showed he “lacked empathy”.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

 

Comments

  1. PROJECTION

    – First, SC decides in favor of Sandigan against Elenita Binay

    – Now this 2nd SC Oral Arguments on the Binay Case with CJ Sereno, Justices Carpio, Leonen, among others, taking the starring roles of questioning Binay counsels Certeza and Coronel to the apparent discomfort of Binay counsels.

    – The alleged CA Justices for hire in the news

    – The continuing Pimentel Blue Ribbon Subcom Hearing on Binay

    To quote Winston Churchill:

    Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

    When it rains, it pours. The beginning stages of the “tipping point” seem at hand.

    I believe we CPMers have contributed to the direction the big political event is heading by our comments here.

    • I share your optimism. I also learned from one of (Father) Bob Garon’s article a long time ago that momentum is not only essential but crucial as well in attaining success.

      However, this is politics. The people’s vigilance cannot waiver.

      Btw, can someone in CPM please explain the reasons behind Jardeleza’s inhibition. Is he another trojan horse of the entitled class? One reason cited is that he used to be Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon. Doest it then mean he will have to inhibit from all future cases involving similar circumstances?

  2. Ang tingin ko sa smiling moments ni Pnoy during awkward situation eh hindi niya sinasadya yon. Yon yong kanyang karaniwang facial expression pag nagsasalita siya, naniniwala ako na hindi niya alam yon. May experience din akong kagaya ni Pnoy. Minsan may kadiskusyon akong foreigner about poverty in the Philippines pero that time hindi pa niya ako kilala. Sabi ba naman sa akin bakit ako raw ay nakangiti pa samantalang yong poverty scenario na pinaguusapan namin ay hindi katawa-tawa. Sabi ko sa foreigner diko alam na ganoon ang facial expression. It did not mean that hindi ako serious sa pinaguusapan namin. Kasi ako palagi ding nakangisi at akala mo diko siniseryoso ang sitwasyon.

  3. 3 more SC justices inhibit from Junjun Binay case

    Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/686850/3-more-sc-justices-inhibit-from-junjun-binay-case

    Associate Justices Presbitero J. Velasco Jr., Arturo D. Brion and Francis H. Jardeleza inhibited from the case.

    Re J. Velasco, could the reason be what was written/exposed here by CPMer that he used to be a Judge in Makati.

    Re J. Jardeleza, could it be the articles written by ellen tordesillas and Marites vitug, re his stand on condonation while he was Sol Gen.

    I dont know the reason why of J. Brion inhibited, maybe some cpmers know.

    • Atty. Theodore Te explained that the four justices inhibited themselves only in the oral argument. But they can join in the deliberation of the case among the justices and vote.

      • Aside from Jardeleza, Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr and Arturo Brion likewise recused themselves from the case.

        In a press conference on Tuesday, April 21, SC Spokesperson Theodore Te said the 3 justices did not provide him the reasons for thier inhibition.

        Previously, Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta had already inhibited from the case and did not participate in the first round of oral arguments.

        This leaves 11 justices voting on the high-profile case against the Makati mayor, who argued that his suspension was issued by the Ombudsman with grave abuse of discretion.

        This also means that Jardeleza would have to be replaced as the justice who will pen the decision on the Ombudsman petition.

        above is from rappler
        http://www.rappler.com/nation/90611-jardeleza-inhibits-junjun-binay-case

        Though I didnt hear atty Te interview on TV. @ Rene-Ipil u mean all the news report got it wrong?

        • I stand corrected. I heard Atty. Te this morning saying that even those who interpellated before won’t vote.

          According to reports Peralta inhibited due to his sister who is now Makati city administrator. Brion’s wife works with Reyes in the 6th division. Velasco already inhibited himself in the Elenita Binay case before. Jardeleza inhibited because of his position as SOLGEN and handling of Binay cases before.

    • I don’t know if there is any family relationship between Renato “Rene” L. Brion of DILG and SC Justice Arturo D. Brion (their middle initials are different).

      Renato Brion of DILG was the one who served the suspension order on Junjun Binay.

    • Clear, concise, consistent, no rumblings.

      Hands down to Associate Justice Marivic Mario Victor F. Leonon, magaling kadi.

      Awe inspiring…

      • Yes, I agree with your observation even if I am not a lawyer. Further, Justice Leonen made mincemeat of Certeza on his advise to client Binay not to respect the lawful order of suspension order of the Ombudsman absent a TRO.

        Earlier, Justice Leonen why Binay did not find it important to be present at the Supreme Court.

        • Continuing payment under the present term for a contract resulting from grave misconduct of Mayor Binay in a previous term brought up by CJ Sereno.

          The misconduct of Binay was stated by the CJ in rapid-fire fashion. CJ also emphasized the bad precedent a decision in favor of Binay on all other officials in similar situation.
          CJ lectured to counsel Coronel who was once CJ’s student. Great works by the CJ after Justice Leonen’s turn. I am impressed.

          Mayor Binay will have sleepless night.

        • from rappler:
          In questioning Coronel, Carpio stressed that the Ombudsman’s power to suspend officials as contemplated by law is preventive.

          “You’re twisting our decisions,” said Carpio, when Coronel kept insisting that the power in question is penal.

        • kalakala,

          Our lawyers in CPM I believe will give us a better perspective on what they heard in the hearing. I eagerly await their comments.

        • before rebutting, let me google first and consult with wikipedia, second. i’ll reply sometime ??? – the search results are voluminous.

        • Every time CJ Sereno got into her stride I thought I was listening to Brenda.

        • CJ Sereno deliberately enumerated all the pieces of evidence alleged in the complaint to inform the people that the evidence of guilt by Binay is strong and that Binay’s misconduct is so grave.

          More importantly the condonation doctrine was exposed by CJ Sereno as not only a bad precedent but also a fallacy. The doctrine assumes in the case of Binay that the electorates of Makati condoned his misappropriation of the taxes paid to the city of Makati. But CJ Sereno explained that LGUs were appropriated about P340 billions in 2014 as internal revenue allotment (IRA) from taxes paid to the national government.

          In the case of Makati City P769 millions were allotted by the national government to said LGU as IRA in 2014. Meaning that such money was taken from the taxes collected by the national government from people who are not from Makati. So only the voters of Makati reelected and condoned Junjun Binay, How about the non-Makati voters who entrusted P769 millions to Makati City, which amount, wholly or partly, was pocketed by Binay?

        • Rene-Ipil,

          I thought too that CJ Sereno in going about what she did (enumerating pieces of evidence alleged in the complaint to inform the people that the evidence of guilt by Binay is strong and that Binay’s misconduct is so grave — as you said), she may be doing this so that the probable partisans of the SC Justices will be exposed to the people COME DECISION VOTING TIME. That is, before the SC decision is made, the grand misconduct of Binay are already exposed to the public, coming as it does from the lips of those respected SC Justices. That is, compared to Binay Camp’s claim that the evidence is weak, it is in fact strong — as enumerated by CJ Sereno. To go against this legal tsunami tide will be very embarrassing to the partisan Justices. It seems also somewhat of a warning to the partisans at the CA.

          Rene-Ipil, one question: why are Binay’s counsel arguing before the SC and not the CA Justices themselves?

        • Right. CJ Sereno has not so hidden agenda.

          The “real party in interest” is Binay while the CA is merely an “indispensable party.”

          “A real party in interest is the party who stands to be benefited or injured by the judgment in the suit.” So Binay needs counsel to represent him and the CA as well.

          Indispensable parties are “Parties in interest without whom no final determination can be had of an action.” Joining them in the action as plaintiff or defendant is compulsory.

          The CA must be impleaded because its TRO is questioned. If reversed, Binay would suffer so he must provide counsel.

        • furthermore, how can junjun binay’s condonation be made when he doesn’t even until now admit of any wrong doing? what is there then to be “condoned” about? in fact, his lawyers applied this condonation theory only now dahil wala nang lulusutan pa. kung siya, hindi niya alam na me nagawa siyang kasalanan, ang mga taong bumoto sa kaniya pa kaya?

      • Yep, he’s one of the good guys. Knew him even before he was justice. He’s very intelligent and has a strong sense of what’s right and just. He’s also a fine writer.

  5. I wonder if the president farts.

    And smiles when he lets go.

    I suppose a candidate for high office, or a showperson, must accept that in today’s videoscope lifestyle, even the smallest nuance or twitch can go viral. Nevertheless, I find it rather inhumane that we do not allow people to be human, to have emotions that we can’t grasp, or reactions that we claim we would never have made. Although we have never and will never have similar weighty responsibilities.

    I have a friend who knows President Aquino. The friend says that when you speak, he listens. He hears. He empathizes.

    That’s good enough for me.

    Everything else is out of context, because we aren’t him.

    • I also find amusing that we criticize the loss of privacy and NSA intrusions, but we cheer Snowden and get a rise out of being voyeurs into other people’s personal space.

      • Hahaha, I read your note before going to bed last night and I’m still laughing. The administration battle cry: “Abad did it!” Covers everything from discretionary expenses to farts. Except when you need Purisima.

        • Purisima’s fart is absolutely . . . deadly. It’s a massacre! Stay away 5 feet.

          ha ha ha

  6. RAPPLER — SC won’t stop Elenita Binay’s graft cases

    (2:18 PM, Apr 21, 2015)

    “The High Court finds the Ombudsman resolutions to be sound, finding no merit in Mrs Binay’s claim that they were issued with grave abuse of discretion.
    …
    “The subject raps against Binay stem from an old probe into allegedly anomalous purchases of supplies for the Ospital ng Makati when she was mayor and which Binay had appealed for dismissal.”

  7. Some people could see his smile especially during inappropriate time and in inappropriate place but couldn’t listen to what he is saying and see what he is doing. I pity him.

    • litong-lito na talaga ako dito. babasahin ko, tungkol sa SC, Binay’s lawyers, etc. basa ng basa, merong sasagot, tungkol naman sa smile at utot ni Pnoy. kakaloki!

      • Don’t get confused. Read JoeAm’s comment about PNoy’s smile, and get Loena’s expertise on PNoy’s utot.

      • Hehe…that certain smile ang title ng blog article na ito…pinapahintulutan naman na mag pasok ng ibang topic…parang sa isang kwentuhan ng magkakabarkada…sa break bigla me magsasabi…teka maiba ako sa usapan, kanina may lumabas sa balita, ganito, ganun…ang saya nga e di ba…

        natural na aksyon natin ang ngiti, simangot at utot, anything goes tayo dito…

  8. I remember that smile of Ninoy Aquino just before he stood up from the plane and walked out with the military personnel that cane to fetch him and lead him to his death. It’s a smile that seemed to mask fear, meant to assure himself and everyone else around him at the time that everything was going to be alright. Sadly, that’s not how things turned out. That smile still haunts me to this day.

    I also remember President Aquino’s smile when he was inspecting the bus where the Chinese tourists were held hostage. It looked to me like a nervous smile. In the photo above, the smile looks almost like a grimace, connoting pain or discomfort.

    While not the norm, there are actually a lot of people who find themselves smiling inappropriately in situations where a more sombre appearance would have been deemed the acceptable response. It is their physical response to the distressing or embarassing situation before them. It’s just unfortunate when public figures like President Aquino find themselves responding in the same way as they so easily become the object of scorn. The former President Jimmy Carter has been known to flash that inappropriate smile many times during his term. It is what it is.

    • You hit the nail on the head. People who normally have a somewhat introverted, shy nature can become very nervous and uncomfortable in certain social encounters. Many handle these situations by smiling or even laughing to cover their nervousness. It certainly is not a big deal and is quite normal for many people.

      • Among them my brother. When recounting to my bereaved cousins how he rushed their multiple hacked-father to the hospital, he was smiling lopsidedly. I found it bizarre, but my cousins understood it was nervousness and the frustration of not being able to do more for their father.

  9. THAT CERTAIN SMILE

    Cross your heart and hope to die it’s love.
    A perfect world in my minds eye and oh

    The face that’s watching me tonight – has me –
    Falling for that certain smile.

    — Mitchell, Daniel / Ure, Midge.

  10. kahit ako that if someone upset me ay smile ang madalas na body response ko and that is my way of showing my dipleasure. Ang atin Presidente ay hindi mapagkunwari na di tulad ng mga TRAPO na kung umasta ay kulang na lang humagulgul sila para ipakita ang pagsisimpatiya kuno. Tingnan sng mukha ni Binay pag siya ang nakaharap sa tao, parang maamong tupa pero sa kalooblooban ay panlilinlang

  11. Coping Mechanism or Insecurity?

    Naiintindihan ko ang ordinaryong Filipino na dinadaan sa ngiti ang mga pinagdadaanan ng mga kalamidad, mga problema at kamalasan sa buhay. 

    Nahalata nyo ba na pag may baha at bagyo eh dinadaan na lang sa ngiti pero ang saloobin ay kung papano nanaman hahanapin ang pera para may makain, may maibiling yero para pangpalit sa nilipad na bubong? Coping mechanism ang tawag sa ngiting ito.

    Nahalata nyo ba na pag nag-uusap ang dalwang Pilipino , yung nakangiti ang kalimitan eh mas mababa ang antas sa buhay at yung seryoso eh mas nakakaangat? Insecurity at subordinate attitude ang tawag dito.

    Pero Pangulo na si Aquino at hindi na personal na pagkatao lang ang kanyang nirerepresenta kundi ang opisina ng Presidente ng Pilipinas at ng mukha ng ating bayang Pilipinas. Wala sa lugar ang kanyang ridickulous na ngisi sa pagkamatay ng mga taga Hongkong at sa eulogy ng SAF 44. Kung ang ibang lider ng ibang bayan eh marunong ng tinatawag na manners at diplomacy 101 eh tama lang na umasa sila na ang nahalal na Pangulo ng Pilipinas ay marunong ng basic na etikita. Gayundin ang mga Filipino na pag nagbisita sa ibang bahay ay marunong ng tamang gawi at nararapat lang na umasa ang mga Pilipino na ang ating edukado at galing sa angkan ng mga tinitingalang tao eh umasta ng tama lalo na sa pamilya ng mga namatayan.

    Kung sensitibo si PNoy sa damdamin ng mga Pilipino, eh di naman natin hinihingi na sya ay umiyak sa lamay, ang hinihingi lang natin ay konting respeto, at ang kanyang ngising aso ay wala sa lugar.

    Kung hindi nya kayang mag-asta ng tamang etikita sa mga sensitibong pagtitipon eh mas maigi pa ang huwag na lang syang sumipot para di madismaya sa kanyang ‘Coping Mechanism’…

    Parekoy
    04-21-2015

    • “Smile even though your heart is aching” – chinese reclamation in the WPS
      “Smile even though it’s breaking” – MNLF demanding their own autonomous region

    • @Parekoy, korek na korek ang pagkaka paliwanag mo. kuhang kuha mo ang nasa damdamin ng bawat nilalang. Yan ang NORMAL na isipin ng may sintido komon na nilalang.

      SANA naunawaan ng mga naghahanap ng KAMALIAN ng isang NGITI.

      • limiin at kantahin ang A CERTAIN SMILE ni Johnny Mathis/ nang maaliwanagan yung mga NAGKUKUNWARI AT MGA MASASAMANG ISIP NA NILALANG.

    • kaya siguro hindi siya sumalubong sa Nichols Airbase nang dalhin ang mga bangkay ng 44 na pinalang na mga pulis dahil baka makunan siya ng letrato na nakangiti na naman, magalit na naman lalo ang mga kamag-anak ng mga Pulis na iyon.

    • I happened to be told by my American officemate that I need to stop my ‘certain smile’ durng our heated brainstorming sessions while solving a particulare technological problem.

      I was trying to explain my point in a light-hearted manner but he found it inappropriate to be smiling since he presumes that it was out of place for that particular session. I apologized and told him it is inherent in me to have a smiley face so as to lighten the discussion, but he found it condescending, and the rest of our problem-solving team agreed. After that, I was conscious and tried my best to fit to their culture as they take it a slight when smiling during serious discussions.

      But I am not the President and I don’t represent the burden to show the best side of my country. Presidents could no longer fart loudly as he used to when in private, the expectation is different in the matters public and of state. When he was reprimanded with his certain smile during the Hongkong citizens deaths , then he could have been more sensitive and learn from that unfortunate incident, but unfortunately he is stubborn and go back to his unwelcome mannerisms.

  13. Hi Miss Raissa…mabuti na yong pinakikita ng Pangulo sino at anu sya talaga..eversince ganun talaga siya TOTOO..hindi tulad ng ibang pulitiko na kung may namamatay kunwari..nakikiramay at nakikiiyak para makakuha ng simpatiya.

    Saludo ako sa Pangulo sa pagiging Totoo nya..

    • Agree! Always remember hindi siya perfect. Be thankful that he is not magnanakaw. Karamihan sa nagrereklamo, wala naming ginagawang mabuti sa bansa. Wait for your next President, baka masabi ninyo “mabuti pa si Pnoy”. Masyadong maraming imposible diyan sa Pinas kaya umalis na ako 40 years ago. God Bless Pnoy!

  14. I wasn’t aware this was an issue until I read this. I guess one can ascribe any value or emotion or judgment on a smile, depending on one’s politics or views. Haters would say insensitivity or even demonic glee, but others won’t give it any meaning at all. It’s your Rorschach test.

    A patient is shown inkblots and asked what he sees in them. All he sees is “sex”. When told he is sex-obsessed, he tells the doctor, ” But you’re the one who made all these inkblots!” ha ha ha

    The Mona Lisa smiles, but no one knows why. I had a calculus teacher who had a permanent smile which I viewed as a smirk, and I hated it, but it was largely because I found the course hard.

    • my own honest observation: kim henares’ smile is “infectious” every time i watch her during the senate blue hearing committee. plus how her eyes coordinate with her ‘infectious smile”.

      • I forgot to include that many Filipinos smile when crossing the road recklessly and are nearly hit by vehicles. So are victims of calamities. Very illogical indeed, if you follow that Hong Kong commenter. But that’s how some Filipinos are….

    • Bagama’t may mga pagkakataong nangangailangan nang pormal na kasuotan, ngiti sa labi at/o seryosong habas ng mukha, natural na sa ating mga Pilipino ang pala-ngiti kahit seryoso na ang situwasyon. Salamat Raissa sa pagbibigay-pansin sa bagay na ito at sa pagpapaunlak ng ating Presidente sa panayam at pagsagot sa mga tanong.

      Kaugnay noong isang paksa na iyong tinalakay “So you want to be the next President of the Republic of the Philippines?
      February 8, 2015 ” Sino nga ba maghahangad na maging presidente lalo na ng Pilipinas na talamak ang korapsyon o anomalya?
      Hindi ko ibinoto si Pnoy pero binigyan ko at bibigyan ko siya ng pagkakataong ipakita ang kaniyang kakayahan, na bilang anak nina Ninoy at Cory ay nabahaginan siya ng paniniwala, prinsipyo ng mga ito. Saludo ako sa kanya at sana ang susunod na presidente ay maipagpapatuloy ang sinimulan niyang pagbabago.

      Pero tiyak ko si Binay ang sisira ng lahat ng pagbabago. Masahol pa kay Gloria Arroyo ang pagkagahaman niya!

    • I never saw the President’s smile too, I only saw an uneasy shy face. But looking again, yes it looks like a smile. The smile that upsets me is Binay’s plastic smile when he eats again with his fingers in front of the cameras, that’s a smile coming from a calculating brain, not from an emotional heart.

  15. May mga tao talaga na sadyang may mukhang nakasimangot o may mukhang nakatawa parati. Sa bisaya ang tawag dito sa “smile” ni PNoy ay “tingsi” o “ngisi”. Kadalasan ang taong nasa malungkot na pangyayari ay “gloomy” or “sad”. In some instances in the past after a calamity like an earthquake in Bohol or Typhoon in the Visayas, many people “smile” when interviewed. It does not mean they were happy per se. This inherent facial expression of Pnoy (like his sisters), who seem to be amused at any given occasion including at a very disappointing event or startling occurence, may be taken as being affable or insensitive. A curse for having a friendly or jeering look.