Grace Lee: P-Noy is very caring, intelligent, humble

Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart.  — Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter 

Controversial DJ Mo Twister in New York first tweeted about his friend and radio FM Magic 89.9 co-host Korean Grace Lee going out with our bachelor President Noynoy Aquino, and this has since become bigger news than the boring impeachment trial. The Philippine STAR is the first Philippine broadsheet newspaper to report about this news on the front page.

Although Grace Lee is a GMA 7 noontime news journalist, even rival network ABS-CBN 2’s top newscasters — former Vice President Noli de Castro, P-Noy’s ex-girlfriend Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon — couldn’t restrain themselves in making personal comments about this reported blossoming romance between P-Noy and the Korean. The international media have started reporting on this, too.

The Korean TV host and radio disc jockey Grace Lee was born in Seoul City under the Korean name Lee Kyung Hee.

2011: P-Noy Meets Grace

In mid-2011, P-Noy first met Grace during the inaugural of a Korean-owned power plant in Cebu where she was the emcee wearing traditional Korean costume and P-Noy had publicly remarked in his speech that she was pretty.

Here are excerpts from our interview with Lee last Friday:

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Why do you say that P-Noy is “the most intelligent guy” you have ever met?

GRACE LEE: He’s really very intelligent. Whatever we talk about — whether politics, economics, books or music — he’s so knowledgeable. He knows a lot. Whenever some critics say bad things about him, that he’s not aggressive or that he’s not matalino, I’d debate them and tell them he’s very smart. In fact, I learn a lot talking to him.

What are qualities about P-Noy that you like the most and that impress you?

He is really a gentleman. He is very caring, very humble, a down-to-earth person, and very considerate. He cares for other people’s feelings. Halata really that he comes from a very good moral background.

Have you met any of the sisters of Noy? What are your impressions of them?

I’ve met Pinky and Ballsy, and they’re both very nice, sobrang accommodating.

What are your hopes and wishes for Noynoy and his leadership?

My wish and hope for him is that sana ma-maintain niya the success he has now and the love of the people. He’s very conscious that the reason he’s president of the Philippines is because of the people’s love, so he cannot and won’t do anything that would compromise that love of the people.

So it’s not true what critics say against him about his work ethic, etc.?

He’s very hardworking, and really a good person.

 How is all the media attention affecting you?

Grace Lee on P-Noy: “He is really a gentleman. He is very caring, very humble, a down-to-earth person, and very considerate.”

 I’m trying not to let all this affect me, my person and whatever I’m trying to achieve on my own in my life and career. There are so many ambush interviews nga by media, but I try not to let all that affect me.

Why are you successful in your media work?

I don’t want naman to blow my own horn and say good things about myself, but I guess one thing I’ve done right is the separation of my private life from my work.

In the past, there were media reports and rumors trying to link you to various male admirers, some of them married like James Yap or Manny Pacquiao. How did you maintain your cool, your good image and not be affected?

The only way to handle rumors is just to be silent. Those guys naman being mentioned before, lahat may asawa na (laughs), those rumors are totally untrue.

Even if you didn’t entertain them, were you somehow flattered by those married and famous guys who reportedly had a crush on you and found you beautiful?

 (Laughs) I am not flattered because I will only be happy due to the attention of the guy who is important to me.

Can you share your beauty secrets?

Dr. Vicki Belo, I go to her center for monthly facials.

 What about your sexy physique, how do you maintain it?

Yoga and boxing.

This coming February 8, you said you’re giving P-Noy a special birthday gift?

I’m still planning to get one, I’ve not yet decided what gift.

How many times have you met or gone out with P-Noy?

Secret (smiles).  

2010: Pacquiao Meets Grace

2009: Grace’s Name Dragged Into Kris & James Dispute

P-Noy isn’t the first VIP to have swooned over Grace Lee while she was emceeing. I recently went to my library and searched for my handwritten notes amid piles of books and magazines, because the P-Noy experience was so familiar. I not only found my notes, but also an unpublished exclusive interview which I had forgotten to submit for my column. 

Near the end of 2010, this writer was invited to a luncheon hosted by GMA 7 chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon to celebrate the homecoming and then new eighth boxing title of Manny Pacquiao. During the lunch, I recall what the billionaire athlete and Sarangani congressman said about the Korean emcee: “Ang ganda ni Grace Lee, kamukha ni Krista (Ranillo).”

I’m not kidding, Manny Pacquiao said that in late 2010 when there were rumors allegedly romantically linking him to Krista and even earlier the actress Ara Mina.

During that luncheon in honor of Pacquiao, while he was making his speech to express his gratitude to GMA 7 for their support, he kept looking at Grace Lee to say that he was quite distracted by her beauty and had forgotten what he wanted to say. The Korean TV host blushed and was visibly flattered by the attention.

In July 2009, her name was dragged into the separation and very public quarrel between basketball star James Jap and his then-wife TV star Kris Aquino. Coincidentally, both Grace Lee and Kris Aquino are communication arts graduates of the Ateneo de Manila University.

After Grace Lee’s close encounter with Pacquiao during the luncheon, I didn’t join the others who were scrambling for photo ops with the world champion boxer, but I went to interview the articulate, smart and humble Korean beauty. Not very long after that interview, Grace seemed to have ended her long relationship with a Korean boyfriend and was subsequently courted by my friend — a young and separated ethnic Chinese entrepreneur from Cebu.

Here are excerpts from my 2010 candid interview with the woman who might possibly become the first ever Korean-born First Lady of the Philippines:

PHILIPPINE STAR:Why are married guys like James Yap and now Manny Pacquiao romantically linked to you or attracted to you?

GRACE LEE: Oo nga (laughs). Actually, hindi ko alam kung bakit (I also don’t understand why). Maybe I think all this talk makes good chismis (gossip).

What’s the real score between you and James Yap, he courted you daw?

No, that’s not true.

Why then was his name linked to you?

Actually, James Yap and I just share the same hair stylist (laughs).

What’s the name of the hairstylist?

Huwag na lang (laughs), baka magalit pa sa akin (he or she might angry at me).

What’s your reaction that Pacquiao has openly expressed admiration for you?

I take it as a compliment.

Are you attracted to Manny Pacquiao?

No, I cannot entertain thoughts about any married person.

Do you agree with Pacquiao when he said you look like his rumored girlfriend Krista Ranillo?

Actually, I’ve been told that by others before. By the way, I think Krista is beautiful.

How come you speak Tagalog so fluently?

I grew up here in the Philippines, ever since I was 10 years old when our family moved here from South Korea.

How’s your love life? Do you have a boyfriend?

Yes, I have had a non-showbiz boyfriend for four years already. (Grace has reportedly since broken up with this boyfriend since the interview).

Who is he, what is his profession?

He’s also a fellow Korean, he’s a businessman.

So Manny Pacquiao or James Yap have no chances to court you anymore, you’re really taken?

We’re very much in love, my boyfriend and I (smiles). We’ve been together since 2006.

You’re 28, how old is your boyfriend?

He’s 32 years old.

I heard from former Manila Congressman Miles Roces that you were once a Miss Chinatown beauty queen. How come? Do you have any Chinese blood?

Yes, my grandmother on the my father’s side has Chinese blood. I won as Miss Chinatown in 2001, I think I served for two to three years because there were no pageants afterwards for a few years.

What percent of you is Korean?

I’m almost pure Korean, except for my grandmother.

How do you maintain your sexy physique?

I try to go to the gym regularly for exercises.

Where do you go to a gym?

At Edsa Shangri-la Hotel.

As the showbiz news “Chika Minute” anchor for GMA’s 24 Oras program, who do you personally predict will become big stars in 2011 in Philippine showbiz?

I think Lovi Poe will become a big star in this new year. I believe Pacquiao will excel more, not only in boxing, but in local showbiz like his TV shows and even possible movies. Aljur Abrenica will become an even hotter heartthrob in 2011. Among actresses, I believe the sisters Ehra Madrigal and also Michelle will sizzle more, especially after the very good exposure Michelle recently got from the Survivor show. And don’t forget, despite the stiff competition, I believe the GMA Kapuso network will shine even brighter in 2011. Our news programs will continue to be No. 1 because GMA 7 is really politically unbiased, public service talaga kami and I think that’s very clear to the public.

What is your reaction that you might replace Krista Ranillo and Ara Mina as the new rumored showbiz girlfriend of Manny Pacquiao?

Sobra ako naloka sa question mong iyan (laughs). Not true, I don’t fall for married guys and I really already have a very good boyfriend. Thank you!

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