BAGUIO CITY--- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was a picture of an extremely fond and doting grandmother when she treated her four grandchildren to an Easter egg hunt this morning at the Skating Rink of the Baguio Country Club.

Just like any ordinary "lola," the President, together with grandchildren Mikaela and Monique by son Rep. Mikey Arroyo, and EV (Evangeline Victoria) and baby Diggy by son Dato, arrived a few minutes after 9 a.m. at the Baguio Country Club without the usual announcement of their presence at the Easter celebration.

Also with the President were First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, sons Mikey and wife Angela and Dato with wife Kakai.

The President personally put on the name tags of her grandchildren and even checked on the nametag of EV that was written wrongly by a staff of the country club.

"It’s her initials--- EV, just that," the President said.

The First Couple even played for a while with baby Diggy who could not yet join in the fun. They stayed on for about 10 minutes before they proceeded to the nearby Baguio Country Club hotel and restaurant to take their Easter Sunday breakfast, while their granddaughters played with the other kids just like ordinary children.

Mikaela and Monique even participated in the game that would require them to say "Happy Easter" as long as they could hold their breath. Monique scored three seconds while Mikaela, coming to the rescue of her little sister with the determination to win a prize, scored 13 seconds. They, however, didn’t bag any prize.

At about 11 a.m. when the egg hunting was about to begin, the First Couple walked back to the skating rink to fetch their grandchildren.

Children and adults alike took turns posing for souvenir pictures with the President who obliged to their requests.

The First Family attended an anticipated Easter Sunday Mass Saturday night at The Mansion.

The second half of the Holy Week was a brief respite for the President who has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of the Filipino people.

The First Family traditionally spends the Holy Week in this summer capital city. This year, however, was something more special since the President celebrated her 60^th birthday on Maundy Thursday with a Holy Retreat with some of her Cabinet members.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the guest of honor and speaker during the observance of the 65^th "Araw ng Kagitingan" (Day of Valor) on Monday, April 9, at the Dambana ng Kagitingan on Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

The President, who will be coming from Baguio City where she spent the second half of the Holy Week and celebrated her 60^th birthday on April 5, will be accorded full military honors by the Philippine Army ceremonial elements upon her arrival at the Mt. Samat Shrine.

Among those expected to accompany the President to Bataan are Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Public Works and Highways Acting Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.

Other guests during the occasion include United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, and Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino.

After the arrival honors, the President, assisted by two honor guards, will lay a wreath at the Dambana colonnade. She will be preceded by Ambassadors Kenney and Yamazaki in laying the wreaths provided by their respective governments.

"Araw ng Kagitingan’ is observed on April 9 of each year to remember the heroism and bravery of Filipino and American troops in Bataan and Corregidor during World War II.

During the commemorative program, Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas will deliver the invocation, while Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia will give the welcome remarks.

The President will deliver her speech after the messages of the Japanese and American ambassadors, respectively.

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