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FG's other secrets revealed

Author: Bong De Leon
Column: Check It Out

DO you know that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was a dancer during his heydays?

Well, we had the chance to be with him with his two sons, Datu and Mikey (both congressmen) and their respective families in Hong Kong last week.

The trip was a reunion of sorts for FG and me. We used to be staffers of a newspaper in the 60s. We were doing the lifestyle section where we featured the who's who in the Manila's elite circle. FG was one of the best photographers who took pictures of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo until she was vice president. But while it is less known, his being a good dancer is likewise seldom mentioned. Did you know that he and PGMA introduced the "Do the Freddie" dance? They were still sweethearts then and in gatherings, they were the stars of the show when they did the "Freddie" dance. Those were the days.

Now, Mike is FG and is the target of intrigues. We are still in the writing business but FG still remembers our good times together. During our dinner at the Superstar restaurant at the 5th floor of Marco Polo Gateway Hotel in Hong Kong, not only did we reminisce our younger days. We came to know that he has put up a foundation, the First Gentleman Foundation, headed by his chief of staff, Juris Soliman. "He doesn't want to announce every good things he do," volunteers Juris. " He has been doing this for years. The FG Foundation has been helping deserving medical students to finish their courses, on the condition that they will serve the country first, specifically people from the barrios, before they do the service for themselves. "

In fact, some of the people in the trip were doctors who were beneficiaries of the FG Foundation. They are also helping patients from PGH, mostly cancer victims.

Mike says his Foundation will continue even if he is no longer First Gentleman. His one last dream is to buy a property in Laguna that has hot springs for senior citizens who are suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and muscle pains. We found out that his philanthropic act started when eldest son Mikey got inflicted with a liver problem at age 12. During those times, he afford to pay P26,000 for Mikey's hospitalization. He prayed so hard for a miracle to happen. Well, what do you know? He had a horse race ticket in his pocket which won the amount that he needed for Mikey. He vowed that he will do philanthropic work after that.

As a good Samaritan, he has forgiven those people who've done him and his family wrong. What he prays for now is for our country to continue to be in shape, not feeling so much the economic crunch felt all over the world.

DINGDONG'S NEW ENDORSEMENT

GOLDILOCKS food chain has won the hearts of many Filipinos as well as foreigners. In the Philippines alone, they have more than 200 branches and in other parts of the world where Filipinos are, there are Goldilocks stores to serve them.

They believe that aside from their mouth-watering products, local celebrities have helped them maintain the store's popularity. Goldilocks has tapped local heartthrob Dingdong Dantes to be its latest endorser. Why a male endorser? They believe that apart from his meteoric popularity and respectability that covers almost all demographics, he is considered a perfect match for the brand identified with Goldilocks.

Because of this unique synergy, Goldilocks chose to simultaneously launch their latest tagline, You're the 1, Goldilocks together with Dingdong's announced endorsement.

The formal launch had Shangri-La EDSA Plaza Hotel for the venue where Dingdong was joined by Director of Goldlilocks, Pinky Lee, Bakeshop Manager, Sali Sauco, Foodshop and Corporate Program Manager, Mauie Tamsi to witness the awesome affair.

Source: People's Journal