The Philippine Star

Obama, Binay swap family stories

- – Jose rodel clapano

More than the gastronomi­c delights, it was the conversati­on with US President Barack Obama during Monday’s state dinner at Malacañang that was most memorable for Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Binay said he was lucky to have been seated next to Obama, who talked about his father and his experience as a lawyer.

Binay, through spokesman Joey Salgado, said the US president was a good listener and his sincerity was evident in the way he talked.

“During the state dinner, VP Binay and President Obama talked mainly about their parents and family. Obama talked about his father, VP Binay about losing his mother when he was nine years old,” Salgado said.

Salgado said Binay also talked about growing up alone and how he adores his 1 grandchild­ren.

“They also talked about being lawyers. VP Binay about being a trial lawyer, President Obama about being an organizer and law professor,” Salgado said.

Salgado said Obama told President Aquino, “I’m hearing emotional stories from the vice president.”

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