ON WEDNESDAY, April 23, I had the opportunity to cover Vice President Sara Duterte’s visit to Negros Island. She first visited Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, then proceeded to La Carlota City, La Castellana, Himamaylan City, and concluded in Bacolod City. The purpose of her visit was to express gratitude for the support that Bacolodnons and Negrosanons have shown her family, particularly for her jailed father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Most notably, the Vice President aimed to visit the thousands of evacuees from Canlaon who are still sheltered in evacuation centers in La Carlota and La Castellana.
As part of her visit, both national and local media were brought to La Castellana National High School, where the Vice President agreed to hold a press conference at the covered court, despite the oppressive heat of 42 degrees Celsius. From my personal observation, the impeached Vice President came across as far from the tough persona often associated with her. Instead, she was smiling, approachable, and courteous.
A DIFFERENT SARA
Putting aside the initial surprises of her demeanor, one moment that particularly caught my attention was what I can only describe as her “melting moment”. As she moved from one room to another, she took the time to engage with the evacuees, listening attentively to their complaints and urgent needs after being confined to the evacuation centers for nearly five months. Watching her interact with the evacuees, I found myself figuratively melting.
This was not the Sara Duterte I had known before and after she became the second-highest elected official in the country. The Sara Duterte that I was familiar with was tough and feisty. But on that day, there was almost a 360-degree shift in her aura and demeanor. Perhaps this change is a result of the political challenges she and her family are currently facing. It’s possible that she is recalibrating or re-strategizing her public relations approach.
LIKE A ‘BIG SISTER’
Regardless of whether the Vice President’s actions were purely for public relations purposes, what mattered most to me at that time were the following:
* Her very presence among the evacuees.
* Her willingness to spend time listening to their stories.
* Her “pasalubong”: 2,514 sacks of rice.
* Her decision to face the media and answer both relevant and irrelevant questions.
These actions made Vice President Sara come across as a “Big Sister” to the evacuees, local officials, and the media. It felt almost surreal, but I trusted my instincts. Despite the intense heat, I chose not to let my own biases cloud my judgment. Instead, I observed her from different angles and perspectives.
CANDID
From this, I can confidently say that Vice President Sara was candid. Beyond her tough exterior, she possesses a valuable quality — a genuine “heart” for the poor and for the people. Whether or not her visit was politically orchestrated, the fact remains that at the La Castellana evacuation center, the Vice President truly showed a human touch. Her candidness in engaging with the evacuees was palpable, and it left a lasting impression. There was a sense of concern, empathy, and sympathy that was irrefutable.
BEYOND RICE
Beyond the rice she provided as aid for the Kanlaon evacuees, Vice President Sara seemed to deliver a message of solidarity: “I am with you always.” It may sound simple, but for the Kanlaon evacuees, who have endured considerable mental and emotional hardship, the Vice President’s presence represented hope amidst uncertainty.
This kind of support cannot be measured in monetary terms. It is something that only hearts and minds can truly comprehend. Vice President Sara embodied that sentiment, delivering her message with genuine care and impact./PN
