Shalani Soledad, Senator Noynoy Aquino's Rumored Girlfriend is a Two-Term Councilor of Valenzuela City and Former Senate Staffer — Photos, Profile

7 August 2009

Pretty Shalani San Ramon Soledad is the rumored girlfriend of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. Shalani is 29 years old and was born in Catanduanes on April 20, 1980. She's been a councilor of Valenzuela City since 2004.

Shalani holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde.  She worked as executive staff in the Office of Senator Panfilo Lacson from 2002 to 2003. 

This is Shalani's personal profile as published in the Valenzuela City website (please click on the image to enlarge): 

                  

                          

This is Shalani's picture from Facebook:

This is Shalani's picture from her Friendster account:

This article dated July 30, 2009 from the Valenzuela City website entitled Valenzuela City Execs, Residents Unite in Prayer for Cory Aquino, identifies Shalani as the "principal organizer" of the mass attended by thousands of Valenzuela City residents dedicated to seeking the recovery of the late President Cory Aquino, who at that time, had only a few days to live.

In her response to the Filipino people delivered on August 5, 2009 just before the funeral of her Mom left the Manila Cathedral, you will recall that Kris Aquino mentioned her son Josh's appeal to his uncle Noynoy not to get married, thus:

To my Brother Noy, in the same way that Mom was so patient and loving towards Josh, I want to thank you for giving Josh so much of your love, your patience and your caring. Noy alam ko sa ospital sinabi sa 'yo ni Josh, 'Please, Tito Noy, never get married.' (laughter) Sana maintindihan mo, ... you're now his security blanket ... you've taken Mom's place as his protector.  Pero huwag kang mag-alala, kaming mga kapatid mo, kung sa'n ka liligaya, pwede na rin.

Josh might have known about Noynoy's girlfriend which prompted him to make the appeal to his uncle and now I can understand the keen interest in Shalani by people from all over the world.  I guess over the weekend, Shalani's name would have become a household word.  

This post entitled 'The Filipinos Are Worth It!' —Kris Aquino's Response to the Filipino Nation for the Love and Respect Showered Upon Her Mom Cory Aquino, August 5 2009 bears the full transcript of Kris Aquino's deeply-moving response.

UPDATE

9 August 2009  10:41pm

This Inquirer online article entitled Why Noynoy Aquino is not married  makes obvious reference to, but does not directly mention, Shalani's name.  I quote:

However, he remains idealistic about marriage. “The perfect union was my parents. They were together even as they were apart,” he told us once.

He’s now seeing a young, very pretty councilor but away from the public eye. A close family friend said Mrs. Aquino had met the 29-year-old woman and even approved of her. She was with the Aquino family through their ordeal and was among the inconspicuous volunteers at the wake and funeral.

It must have given President Cory great comfort to have known and approved of a possible future daughter-in-law. No wonder really that there is this enormous interest in Shalani Soledad.  It's a phenomenon, I'd say. 

OTHER POSTS ON SHALANI SOLEDAD

16 August 2009

You might want to read my other posts on Shalani Soledad:

Shalani Soledad Featured in TV Patrol, August 12 2009, Kris Aquino Approves of Shalani as Noynoy's Girlfriend in Public, SNN, August 11, 2009

Noynoy Aquino and Girlfriend Shalani Soledad Will Celebrate Their First Year Anniversary as a Couple (Magnobyo) Next Month (September 2009)

Will Shalani Soledad, Noynoy Aquino's Girlfriend, Run for Congress? If So, Against Whom?

Shalani Soledad Present at Fund-Raising Concert for the Noynoy-Mar Tandem Held at the UP Theatre in Diliman, 21 September 2009