PNoy shares Kris Aquino’s secret to photo-ops

Posing for photographs comes with President Benigno Aquino III’s job as head of state. In the ASEAN summit last weekend alone, he had to join the traditional “family photo” of leaders in as many as 11 back-to-back meetings. Good thing he learned from an expert. 

The President gamely shared a tip he got from his sister, the so-called “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino. The perennial commercial endorser, TV host, and Instagram addict apparently gave him advice on facing the camera. 

While posing for a group photo with reporters covering his trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, PNoy noticed the many snaps it took for the picture to be taken in everyone’s cameras and cellphones. 

All of a sudden, he quipped: “Paano raw hindi mapagod sa kaka-smile sa dami ng picture?” (How can you avoid getting tired smiling in many pictures?) 

When reporters prodded him, the President said his youngest sister taught him a trick. 

Complete with demonstrations, he said: “Bago mag-picture, tumingin ka raw muna sa baba. ‘Wag kang ngumiti. Tapos pagbilang nila ng 1-2-3, saka ka tumingin pataas sabay ngiti. Para fresh na fresh.”

(Before taking a photo, look down. Don’t smile. Then when they count 1-2-3, that’s when you look up and smile. That way, your smile is fresh.) 

The President egged the group to try it. After the photo was taken, he said: “O, tingnan ninyo ‘yung picture kanina at ‘yung picture ngayon, makikita ninyo ang pagkakaiba.” (So look at the photo earlier and the photo now, you will see the difference.) 

PNoy kept up his cheerful mood, agreeing to pose with staff of the hotel where he held a press briefing. 

When it was the turn of security personnel to have their photo taken, he joked again: “Don’t worry. This time I will guard you.” 

It was a light moment for the President after enduring a grueling week as APEC host in Manila, and then flying to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit.  

He will again go on a foreign trip as he heads to Paris for the climate summit, Rome, and Vatican City. When he meets Pope Francis and pauses for a ceremonial photo, he will again likely flash the Kris Aquino smile. – Ayee Macaraig/Rappler.com