‘I am a proud Filipino!’ FIL-AM KID ASKS PRES. DUTERTE: ‘PLEASE SAY HI TO MY TEACHER’ By Manny Piñol

I woke up early today and saw a message from lawyer Franklin Gacal, councilor of General Santos City and legal adviser to Sen. Manny Pacquiao, which contained an image of a letter sent by an 11-year-old Filipino-American boy from Fresno, California.

In the handwritten letter, Andre Gabriel Custodio Esteban said:

“Dear President Duterte,

“My name is Andre Gabriel Custodio Esteban from Fresno, CA, USA. I am 11 years old and in 6th Grade at Fresno Adventist Academy.

“I am a proud Filipino and I really like you as our President and I hope to meet you someday.

“I am doing a Nationality Report about the Philippines on Nov. 15, 2017. I am interested in talking about you in my class.

“I know that you are very busy because you are a hardworking President and I admire you greatly. But can I ask you a special favor? Can you please send me a short video of you saying hello to my teacher, Mrs. Ricchiuti (Ri-kyu-ti), my classmates and I?

“Maraming salamat po. God Bless you po.

“Sincerely, Andre”

Andre’s mother, Almyra Grace Custodio, posted the image to the Facebook page Duterte Kami with this message:

“My son wrote a letter to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. He has a special request to him for his Nationality Report on Nov. 15, 2017. Can you please help us how to send this to our dear president?”

Will President Duterte grant 11-year-old Andre’s request?

Knowing this man, I know he will.

I am nowhere near him right now and I know he is set to leave for an official visit to Japan tomorrow but I am posting this in my Facebook page now knowing it will reach his attention.

I am also requesting the Presidential Communications Operations Offie (PCOO) to please do the video clip of the President’s message to Mrs. Ricchiuti, Andre and his classmates.

This will certainly make Andre a prouder Filipino.

(Image of Andre’s letter downloaded from Facebook page Duterte Kami forwarded by Atty. Franklin Gacal. Second photo by the Malacanang Press Office shows President Duterte with the children of Marawi City in the Palace.)