VP Sara thanks well-wishers on her b’day

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte thanked all those who greeted and wished her well during her 44^th birthday celebration in Davao City.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. 

Duterte celebrated her natal day by distributing food packs to poor residents in Davao City. Some 2,500 food packs were distributed in the villages of Bunawan, Lasan and Lapu-Lapu in Agdao, and at Carmen dumpsite. 

Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco, a political ally and a friend of Duterte, also sent her greetings and even offered prayers at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 31. 

“Feliz cumpleaños! To my sister, this is your moment to shine and make your own 'herstory' as the 15th Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines. We offered mass for you at the MCIC on this special Feast of Our Lady’s visitation to her cousin, Elizabeth. We rejoice in your victory! Daghang salamat sa tanan! Cheers sa ginger ale! Happy birthday!” Climaco wrote on her Facebook page. 

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte with Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco.

Climaco supported Duterte’s vice presidential bid in the last month’s election and Duterte also endorsed Climaco who ran but lost in the congressional race.

The mayor said at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Duterte facilitated the donation of two RT-PCR test machines, including 25,000 sets of disposable specimen sampling kits to the local government of Zamboanga City.

The local governments of Davao and Zamboanga City also signed a sisterhood accord in July of the same year.

In January this year, Duterte reminisced about her time with Climaco during their trip together to the United States two years ago. In her Facebook post, Duterte - popularly known as Inday Sara - said Climaco took care of her and ensured there is a steady supply of food in her room.

“Throwback muna tayo sa trabaho bago naging pandemic ang Covid-19. January 23, 2020, two years ago today, dumalo ako sa 88th Winter Meeting ng US Mayors, kasama ko Si Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco na aking naging kaibigan dahil sa work trip na ito,” Duterte said.

She said it was Climaco who gave her ginger ale, the first time she tasted the carbonated drink made from ginger root. “Alaga nya (Climaco) ako (at) laging may pagkain ang kwarto ko panlaban sa gutom at siya ang nag-introduce sa akin sa ginger ale na napakasarap pala,” Duterte continued on.

Both Duterte and Climaco were invited by the US government for a series of lectures and meetings for the project “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia” under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the US Department of State. 

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, who welcomed Duterte and Climaco, branded the two leaders as “remarkable women.”

During their stay in the US, Duterte said they went to Los Angeles and had talks with Mayor Eric Garcetti and learned about LA’s problems on gangsterism and the importance of how the government helps in guiding the children and youth to self-discipline and love of the country.

“Sa pagbisita namin sa Los Angeles andami namin natutunan ukol sa gangsterism, ang LA ay isa sa may pinakamadaming gangs na siyudad. Kaya mahalaga ang mga children at youth ay nagagabayan ng gobyerno sa disiplina at pagmamahal sa bayan. Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas,” she said.

Just like Duterte, Climaco has always been a champion and a strong advocate of children’s rights and welfare. Climaco, reacting from Duterte’s social media post, said: “It was a wonderful experience to learn side by side with Mayor Inday. We look forward to a stronger, safer Zamboanga City where children and young people are given the opportunity to chase their dreams and aspirations.” 

“Salamat po sa mga greetings! Mahal ko kayo! Mahalin natin ang DepEd! Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas!” Duterte wrote on her Facebook page. (Mindanao Examiner)