Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, just attended the mass I attended this morning. Some notes, observations, and musings:

• I actually wondered if the president was there since we caught the tail end of the convoy when we parked a block away. My curiosity was piqued when I saw the logos of the PSG on the SUVs parked at the front of the church. It was only confirmed that the president was actually there when Msgr. Sebastian acknowledged her presence during the homily.

• I wonder if this is a once in a while thing for her or if this is a regular gig. It’s possible that she chooses a random parish to attend mass every Sunday if there’s no special occasion.

• It’s lonely being the president. While her coterie of PSG personnel were scattered all around the church, the fact that she’s there by herself in the front pew was very stark. There’s no Mike, no Mikey, no Dado, and no Luli.

• The car with plate number 1 is a black Mercedes-Benz.

• I never realized many people bring their cameras with them. After the mass, people mingled around the president, taking their pictures with her.

• In the same vein, you never know if the people that gathered at the front were asking for the blessings of Msgr. Sebastian or were greeting the president. Most probably it was both.