MANILA, Philippines - Korean television and radio personality Grace Lee is already gearing up for the birthday of President Benigno Aquino III, who turns 52 on February 8.
"I'm brewing something up, and surprise na lang," Lee told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
"Love? Pwede rin," she said, laughing.
One day after Aquino admitted that he and Lee are seeing each other, the 29-year-old Korean finally agreed to an interview on her budding romance with the bachelor president.
Lee was gracious enough to answer questions after her private meeting with talent manager Arnold Vegafria.
"We are dating. We are starting, so sana everyone will give us time and space to get to know each other more," Lee told ABS-CBN's Mario Dumaual.
She said the first time she met Aquino was during the inauguration of the Korea Electric Power Corp. power plant in Cebu in June last year.
Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the Philippines when she was 10 because of her father's business. She finished her high school at St. Paul's College in Pasig City, where she had studied since Grade 3. She studied Interdisciplinary Studies, Communication Arts and Chinese Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Lee actually got to work at Malacañang as an official interpreter in 2005 but she said she never thought that she would one day meet Aquino.
"To be liked by a man who leads the country is very flattering," Lee said. "He's such a gentleman. When he acknowledged it, I think that was out of respect for me."
Lee's manager, Vegafria, said he expects a big change in the life of his talent.
"It is a serious concern. I hope the public will give them space," he said.
Lee, meanwhile, laughed off rumors that Aquino already proposed marriage.
But wherever this relationship may lead, Lee said she is ready for the effects this will have on her life, as well as her family.
"The age gap and racial differences do not matter," she said. "Well, at least whatever we have right now will serve as an inspiration to a lot of people out there."