TOSP awardee surprises Noy with hug, kiss

MANILA, Philippines - One of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) surprised guests at the Palace during their awarding ceremony when she gave President Aquino a kiss and a hug when she accepted her trophy on stage.

Maria Janua Polinar, a 22-year-old magna cum laude Political Science graduate of the Central Mindanao University, apparently could not help but show her admiration for Aquino when she got the chance to see him face-to-face.

Based on protocol, guests are not normally allowed to be too close to the President.

When she went up on stage, Polinar immediately hugged the President as she was presented her trophy, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Later she said she asked permission to kiss Aquino, and she did.

Aquino later said he was not really surprised, although it appeared he was taken aback by the gesture of Polinar.

“She asked permission. She said: ‘Sir, pwede pa-hug (May I hug you)?’ I told her, no problem,” Aquino said.

Polinar said it was a “dream come true” for her, to which the President said: “Thank you to her. I hope they all become successful, along with the other finalists and may their dreams hopefully not die.”