Davao children speak ‘WE ARE THE CHILDREN IN THE AD; ARE WE BAD?’

By Teejae Sonza

May kilala ba kayong Tao na lumaki sa Davao? Masama ba siya? Mamatay-tao? Nangre-rape? Walang-kwentang Tao?

You can choose to believe what you see in a TV ad.

Or you can reflect on what you’ve experienced when you encounter any person who grew up in Davao. Because WE ARE THE CHILDREN IN THAT AD. We grew up with DUTERTE as our Mayor — hearing things about him, reading about him, over hearing our elders watch his weekly sermon and Mura in his weekly TV program.

We are the same children he protected from criminals, from easy access to drugs, from getting hooked into smoking or drinking, getting our fingers and hands cut off from firecrackers, taught us to respect the different tribal cultures and religions, opened up opportunities for us, disciplined us until we could find it in ourselves to behave like decent people.

The good living environment in Davao + the guidance of our parents, teachers and elders helped shape who we are.

NAPANOOD NYO YUNG TV AD, TINGNAN NYO NAMAN KAMI.

We’re not perfect, but I think we’re not that bad… That disgusting… That worthless. We’re DECENT people.

WE ARE THE CHILDREN IN THE AD, THE CHILDREN OF DUTERTE.

PS: thank you to my parents and elders for always voting for Duterte and giving us Digong for our Mayor. I’m so proud to be part of the new city that has become DAVAO. Very very proud to be identified as a Dabawenyo.

(My apologies to Teejae Sonza for copy/pasting this post without her consent. I hope she will understand. The message is just so beautiful and timely that I just can’t wait to share it. Photos show Duterte with children with cancer. Manny Piñol)