MANILA, Philippines - In a way, the low-key politician (oxymoron, all right) Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, must dread August. When the death anniversary of his martyr father Benigno Aquino Jr., comes, the spotlight is turned on him, and if there's a politician who doesn't seek publicity, shuns it sometimes, it is Noynoy.

All his political life, he has been content being in the shadow of his mother, and his equally famous younger sister. Every Aug. 21, he's squeezed dry by media for soundbites on his father's death and the current state of affairs.

Once in a while, however, he's also asked about the current state of his love affairs.

Can't blame media. It's not that easy to do copy on eligible politicians. Dry spell. Chiz Escudero isn't only married; he has twins. Sen. Mar Roxas is almost engaged to Korina Sanchez. And Noynoy? He's still single.

Our running joke with this amiable and candid senator is, the wedding gown design that Auggie Cordero (Corazon Aquino's designer when she was President) did for his (now ex) bride-to-be is now back in fashion, retro being in. That's how long we've been kept in suspense about his love life.

When he was First Son, he devoted his time, 24/7, looking after or at least worrying about his mom's safety, especially when the coups came one after another. He once said he couldn't sleep soundly at night until he knew everyone in the household was safe, including his nephews. That explained why settling down wasn't his priority.

Now his nephews are young men, and Cory Aquino is a stateswoman. Noynoy, meanwhile, has gotten a life, at least a political life. He's been linked at various times to various women. Asked why he's often linked to media women, he replied that was because media was part and parcel of his environment. Where else would he get romantic prospects, among female representatives? he asked, not really kidding.

At a wedding two weeks ago (not his, of course), he greeted us with a good grin. His love life is looking good again, he said. Time to bring out Cordero's design?

Post-dengue life

When party veteran Louie Cruz landed in Palawan this week-he shuttles to Palawan and loves the islands the way he did Boracay-it must have been as if the US Armed Forces descended with complete wartime provisions.

Having suffered from dengue fever last month, Cruz is-no other word for it- paranoid about mosquito bites. At the Inquirer Lifestyle Fitness.Fashion show at Peninsula Manila-his first night-out since his hospitalization-he must have bathed himself in citronella lotion, prompting the hotel executive to remind him, "There are no mosquitoes in the ballroom, Mr. Cruz."

Now in Palawan, which he visits regularly because he now sells islands, he brought with him antimosquito paraphernalia: big electric mosquito zapper, five varieties of citronella lotion-and, as he texted us, he "will soon hammer nails on the wall to set up the family-size mosquito net. I could not find a mosquito net that was fire-resistant so I could smoke in bed."

You can't blame him, however. Dengue fever is no laughing matter; it strikes across ages and economic levels. In recent times, there was a spate of dengue fever cases even in Ayala Alabang Village. Louie was relatively lucky-he didn't need blood transfusion. However, a feng-shui expert or exorcist was sent to him by a well-meaning friend. In the privacy of his hospital room, rites were performed-shrill, metallic deafening sounds produced-as the expert commanded the evil spirits to flee Cruz's body.

So last we heard, it was Cruz who fled to Palawan.

Looking after Chula

Former first lady and octogenarian Amelita Ramos is still a career woman. Aside from her consultancy position at International School, she is also engaged in supporting an arts foundation and runs her plant business in Tagaytay.

Her biggest work of love is looking after her daughter, Chula.

A former banker-turned-restaurateur, Chula met a serious accident years ago, which left her disabled. She was crossing the street toward her car when she was hit by the side view mirror of a truck. She was operated on after the accident and remained unconscious for two months.

On her recovery, she was brought to the United States for therapy. "She reads and is still good with numbers. You have to challenge her mind," says Ms. Ramos.

She takes care of her 49-year-old daughter as she would her plants-with a lot of patience and love.

All these activities keep her calendar full. "When you're busy, you forget your own aches and pains."

American package

Fil-am singer Billy Crawford is a big hit in France although he's packaged as an American there.

His face is ubiquitous in the teen fan magazines. When a Filipino expatriate asked a teenybopper daughter of a friend why she adored Crawford, she replied, "Il la un tete tres bizarre." (He has a really weird face.) Well, the French always had a penchant for exotic looks.

Damaged goods

Hotel habitues are still talking about this really fancy, expensive car (better than a Ferrari) parked before a hotel. And-crash! A taxi rammed into it. Such is five-star destiny.

Business sense

There are stories of designers who are mired in debt. But the younger generation of designers knows how to manage their money. Take Rajo Laurel who even won a business award. One of the hottest designers now is Paul Cabral who's invested in real-estate and an art collection. On top of that, he's always punctual in paying his suppliers because he knows how to manage his resources.