Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo could have been just any US-bound passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday. The only daughter of President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Luli shucked off her lone female security aide by the gate of the airport terminal building and proceeded to queue at the Northwest Airlines check-in counter. Her security aide looked all but stunned.
Luli also refused to be assisted while checking in at the counter and repeatedly told personnel from the NAIA Public Assistance Office, "Please, I can do this alone. Nakakahiya naman sa inyo (I do not want to impose on you)."
Luli, who is scheduled to attend a series of conferences on computer programming in the US, also waited patiently in line at the Immigration counter.
"Ever since my mom was in government, I’ve never allowed myself to be given VIP treatment," the 29-year-old Luli, who had one hand-carried luggage, said.
She presented her passport to Immigration officer Melba Basilio, who unceremoniously stamped her clearance on it.
"Luli was alone," Immigration officer Wilson Soluren said. Soluren also said that as far he could remember, it was the first time a member of the First Family left unaccompanied for abroad.
At the final check-in counter by the boarding gate of her Flight NW 26 for the US via Osaka, Luli again queued to have her hand-carried luggage inspected one last time.
When she finally boarded her flight, airport officials and personnel could not help but express admiration for her unassuming ways.
"Napakasimpleng bata. Parang hindi anak ng Presidente (What a simple child. She does not act like she is the daughter of the President.)," an immigration agent remarked.