Former boldie Barbara Milano, TV host-model Grace Lee, fashion stylist Liz Uy – these are just but some of the women that made the heart of the late former president Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III flutter.
Barbara and PNoy got acquainted when he was just a congressman.
She was then a rising film nymphet, appearing in a slew of movies with salacious, double-meaning titles like “Masarap Habang Mainit,” and “Tikim,” among others.
Obviously from different worlds, their love affair proved short-lived lasting from 2000 to early 2001.
Following PNoy’s sudden passing June 24 at 61, Barbara took to Facebook to share her grief.
She wrote in Filipino, “RIP Noy, Former president, thank you so much to you, for the help and respect you gave me...”
Barbara described PNOy as “simple” and “low-profile.”
The sentiment was echoed by Bernadette Sembrano via DZMM hours after news of PNoy’s passing became public.
She said, "Simpleng-simple lang...Ayaw niyang umeeksena...Sa mga okasyon, makikita mo 'yung akwardness kapag siya ang nabibigyan ng atensiyon. Hindi niya gusto na siya ang nakapronta."
According to Bernadette, she and PNOy became lovers when he was congressman of Tarlac between 2001 and 2003.
It isn’t clear as to when exactly PNoy and Korina Sanchez met but many believe their relationship started in the late ‘80s, going on to last supposedly until the mid ‘90s.
Note that PNoy was among “ninongs”when Korina married his good friend Mar Roxas in 2009.
Around 2010, PNoy opened up about their past, relating how it ended “two decades ago.”
Korina paid tribute to PNoy via an Instagram post following his passing.
She wrote, “Sad day. Gone too soon. Many presidents have come and gone. But PNOY I knew. Thank you for your friendship. Most of all, gratitude for service to our country. Godspeed. Bon voyage. Be happy in eternity with your parents, your fellow Filipino heroes."
More women came into PNOy’s life when he became president.
These include Grace, Liz and Shalani Soledad.
PNoy and Shalani’s relationship, which started around 2008, became tabloid fodder.
Many thought they were going to end up at the altar.
But it ended in 2010.
According to Shalani, they simply couldn’t find time for each other anymore due to their busy schedules.
Two years later, she married politician Roman Romulo.
PNoy went on to date Liz whom he met through sister Kris.
He told media around 2010, “We have been spending time together as our schedules would permit.”
But their romance quickly fizzled.
Reports about PNoy dating Grace started spreading around 2012.
In an interview, Grace revealed that she and PNoy “had something” but it was cut short after media made much ado about it.
“The rumors started spreading when we were on the stage of getting to know each other so we couldn’t go any further.”