HONG KONG, 13 April 2018 – The Filipino community in Hong Kong reacted with elation, gratitude and enthusiasm in their encounters with President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his unofficial visit in the territory on 10-12 April 2018, especially at a one-on-one meeting at a fast-food restaurant and a town-hall style gathering in Kowloon.
President Duterte made an unannounced visit at the Hung Hom branch of the Philippines’ top chicken and burger chain Jollibee, before proceeding to the Filipino community meeting at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on the afternoon of April 12th, his second in 10 months.
Nelson Vicera, principal engineer of Nexperia Hong Kong Ltd, praised the organization and security provided by Hong Kong Police Force, as well as the full midweek attendance. He also remarked how all the participants were treated to snacks and dinner “No past Philippine leader has achieved this kind of reception ever. The feeling is overwhelming.”
“As for the programs and policies of the president, I am really happy that if we compare him with all our previous leaders, I can say he's the best president we've had in history,” said Rodofo Medilo, a 28-year Hong Kong resident from Aklan who volunteered at the event as marshal. “That’s why I am so impressed by the Duterte administration.”
“He’s helped OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) like me a lot,” said Sheila May Jayson of Dumagete, Negros Oriental, during his visit. “Thank you, President Duterte, for the tremendous progress you’ve achieved in the Philippines.”
The President was joined by members of his family: his partner Honeylet Avancena, elder daughter Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and her son Stingray, and youngest daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte.
Household Service Worker (HSW) Alma Pardillo, accompanied by Consul General Antonio A Morales, was invited to join the President and his family at their table. Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife, Taguig Mayor Laarni Cayetano, were also present.
Ms. Pardillo, a 44-year mother of six from Bicol, related to the President her financial concerns as her 9-year old daughter in the Philippines is suffering from a serious lung ailment.
The President agreed to help pay the costs of a round-trip ticket to the Philippines to attend to her sick daughter, as well as to defray her medical bills. The President also thanked Pardillo and all HSWs for their contributions to the Philippine economy[1]. There are roughly 220,000 Filipinos living in Hong Kong, 90 percent of who are HSWs.
After the Jollibee visit, the President addressed the Filipino Community in Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal MICE venue in Kowloon, which was attended by more than 2,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong, majority of whom are HSWs, who took time off to attend the event and be with the President.
In his remarks, Consul General Antonio A. Morales, welcomed the President and his delegation and expressed gratitude in behalf of Filipinos in Hong Kong, noting that the President visited Hong Kong in May 2017.
“Last year, the President visited (Hong Kong), and he is again here as proof and affirmation of his love for the Filipino Community,” said Consul General Morales. “On behalf of the Filipino Community in Hong Kong, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude”
During the program, the President was serenaded by two Filipino singers in Hong Kong. Joanelene Mallari sang the song “You Raise Me Up”, followed by Ms. Regine Baliguat with the President’s favorite Filipino ballad, “Ikaw”. In the middle of the song, the President took a microphone and joined Ms. Baliguat in a duet, to the delight of the crowd.
In his address, the President extolled Filipinos in Hong Kong for their diligence and hard work as breadwinners for their families back home in the Philippines. He also expressed gratitude for their continued support to his administration’s efforts to rid government of corruption and his programs against illegal drugs.
Also, in a surprise and unprecedented announcement, the President publicly apologized for the 2010 Quirino Grandstand bus incident.
“There has been no official apology for what happened during that incident...in August 2010. May I address myself to the Chinese people who are here: I apologize. From the bottom of my heart, as the President of the Philippines and on behalf of the Filipino people, may I formally apologize to you now. I guarantee you that this will never happen again.”
At the end of the program, the President, together with First Daughter Mayor Sara Duterte, posed for a group shot with the attendees.
[1] FB Link via SFA Alan Peter Cayetano: https://www.facebook.com/alanpetercayetano/videos/1741986562560784/
