Photo via Rajo Laurel on Twitter

Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad will wear a yellow gown made by leading designer Rajo Laurel during the historic inauguration of her boyfriend Noynoy Aquino on June 30, 2010.

We caught on Twitter this picture of Shalani fitting the gown, presumably in Rajo Laurel’s Makati atelier. Fans were quick to say she looks lovely in the gown, which is really a terno, a Filipino costume popularized by former First Lady Imelda Marcos. The color of choice is of course yellow. Even while being Noynoy’s girlfriend, Shalani is known to have been one of the tireless supporters of the Noynoy campaign.

No photos have leaked yet of what Kris Aquino will wear to the June 30 inaugural, or of her sisters Ballsy, Pinky and Viel. President Noy’s sartorial needs will be taken care of by appointed presidential designers Paul Cabral and JC Buendia, with help from presidential stylist Liz Uy.

(Image of the Arlegui Mansion via Jove Francisco’s Twitter)

While President to-be Noynoy Aquino has expressed his preference to stay in a condo or at the family residence in Times St. West Triangle, Quezon City, his celebrity sister Kris Aquino says she would like to stay at the Arlegui Mansion near Malacanang again. It’s where Noynoy, Kris and the late President Cory lived post-EDSA.

” We have very happy memories in Arlegui. And feeling ko mas maganda ang feng shui ng Arlegui. Kasi ang mom ko and si FVR, nakatapos ng term nila na walang mga impeachment issues, etc.,” notes Kris in an interview with the Manila Bulletin’s Students & Campuses section dubbed First Sister.

With Kris’ approval, who knows? the resurgent Aquinos might just settle in Arlegui St. again.

Kris said that she will not hesitate to live in the Presidential residence, along with her married sisters, if Noynoy – who might feel lonely as a single man – requests for it.

The pre-war Arlegui Mansion, located on Arlegui St. in Manila’s San Miguel district is just a few walks from Malacanang. It has 12 bedrooms, a swimming pool and a few function rooms.

In the same interview,Kris – the Queen of All Media – admitted that her brother would not have won, and ran, for the Presidency if not for the national ‘awakening’ that came with their mother’s passing.

And as to what her role in the incoming administration will be, she said she would like to reprise her previous role of fetching and meeting international dignitaries at the airport.

“Noy already asked all of us to help him. Nung time ng mom ko kasi pag may mga visiting dignitaries, ang role ko taga-sundo sa airport. Ako naman, a good conversationalist, ako ‘yung kumakausap whether heads of state or whoever,” Kris said in the MB interview.

I missed seeing The Buzz last Sunday where Kris Aquino interviewed President-to-be Noynoy Aquino’s girlfriend of almost two years, Shalani Soledad. Thank God for Youtube we were able to see it. The full transcript of the interview is also on the ABS-CBN website and Barrio Siete.

Their love story has been likened to that of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline (Jackie) Bouvier. Like Noynoy and Shalani, he was also a senator and she was a reporter when they first met. We’re closely watching developments on their story. After all, by becoming President of the Philippines, he now becomes the most eligible bachelor in the country. Will his friendship with Shalani (who is 20 years his junior) end up at the altar, or will he stay single all his life?

Apparently, words have been said by Noynoy to the effect that he doesn’t see himself getting married within the next six years of his presidency. Whew, this could only be bad news to Shalani though we think a real good woman can pin down even the most elusive bachelor to marriage at all cost. Go Team Shalani!

The good thing with this girlfriend is her mass appeal and popularity, even though she is not an Assumptionista or doesn’t carry a high pedigree surname. She also appears to fully support and trust her man. Just imagine, if she waits for six years more, she’ll be 36 to his 56 by then. Or they could end up not being together at all. Whew!

In a previous interview with Manila Bulletin, Shalani has said: ” Seriously, the result of an election is not enough to be the basis of taking a relationship to the next step. Kami kasi ni Noy, like any other couple, we have our issues that we are working on together. Hopefully, when the defining moment comes, we will be able to pass it successfully together.”

Good luck gurl!

Hot off the press: the Noynoy Aquino video first shown on ABS-CBN tonight. Have you watched it yet?

Honestly, I got goosebumps when I saw this. My American husband says the one thing with Noynoy is that he’s catching the imagination of the apathetic Filipino people and that’s a good thing.

Most notable is the fact that Noynoy is spending the least among the presidentiables. The star-studded Hindi Ka Nag-iisa video itself is described as a “love offering from entertainment and advertising industry professionals.”

Regine Velasquez is shown singing the Noynoy anthem, which makes you think why Sharon Cuneta and Ogie Alcasid aren’t lending their voice when they’re also in it. Also seen in the video: Kris Aquino (of course), Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Anne Curtis, Mariel Rodriguez, Ai-ai de las Alas, Boy Abunda and some others.

Expect the yellow Philippine Islands shirt Noynoy is wearing to be in vogue as election fever heats up. It seems I want to buy one now.

Honestly, the only thing that daunts me about a Noynoy Aquino presidency is the prospect of Ai-Ai and Boy Abunda holding Cabinet or consultative advisory positions. I dread Noynoy asking Boy Abunda’s magic mirror when he wants to be enlightened on important national decisions. Okay, am joking. Now back to business…. show business

For more updates:

By TwitterButtons.com

My friend Maricel was the one who tipped me on this nifty new site called ShopandShare where celebrities like Kris Aquino are putting up their precious designer items on auction to help victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

I’ve been eyeing Kris’ LV Stephen Prouse bag myself, but the current bid now is at $3,600 (from a starting bid of only $799).The highest bid now is for Angel Locsin’s Prada Nappa Tote ($4,150, as of this writing.)

Either the ones bidding are avid Ebay shopaholics or simply Good Samaritans. But it’s nice to know that some people won’t hesitate to join an auction for a good cause. Even nicer still that the showbiz personalities we admire are selfless enough to use their face value and pulling power to donate to typhoon victims.

Shop and Share was first conceived by actress and Red Cross Ambassador Angel Locsin. She then gathered the support of her celebrity friends Kris Aquino, Anne Curtis, Ruffa Gutierrez, Luis Manzano and Pokwang for the charitable online venture. Other showbiz stars donating are Kim Chiu, Mariel Rodriguez, Heart Evangelista, Isabelle Daza, Gerald Anderson and Boy Abunda.

Although the landing page is the Shop & Share website, the auctions are being conducted by batch at the Red Cross store in Ebay. Join na!