VP Sara Duterte a crowd-magnet as she visits Bohol

By Leo Udtohan 

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte was the honored guest during the 168th Bohol Day last Friday, July 22. 

Her visit was first in Bohol since winning by a landslide in the island province with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  Political analysts and observers said their victories were menaingful and impressive considering that both did not visit Bohol during the campaign period. 

Duterte's last visit to Bohol was in 2019 when she campaigned for some senators and former Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr. 

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte 

graces the 168th Bohol Day on July 22, 2022. Photos: Ric Obedencio 

Duterte went first to Clarin town to visit the schools ravaged by Typhoon Odette (international name "Rai") last year.

She met with local officials and the Department of Education (DepEd) personnel to talk about the repair, reconstruction, and renovation of classroom buildings destroyed by the typhoon. 

After Clarin, she went to the Bohol Cultural Center for the Bohol Day program where she was treated to the reenactment of  "Sanduguan" (Blood Compact) between  Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna in March 1565. 

"The last time siguro I was taught about Sandugo was in high school in Philippine History pa. And it's good to be reminded of our history as a country," she told at least 200 crowd of local chief executives and heads of different agencies. 

She urged Boholanos to support the new administration to improve Filipinos’ condition.

“Let us keep one another in friendship, prayer, and pride as we take the next steps of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. I ask the Boholanos’ support as the new administration makes decisions in our best interest,” she said.

Duterte said that Boholanos were fiercely protective of their place and territory.  She cited the 2017 clashes with members of Abu Sayaff group.

A band of bandits landed on the island on April 10, 2017 from their stronghold in Basilan province on a kidnapping mission, but they were thwarted as alert residents tipped off the authorities on their presence in Inabanga town.

Duterte hoped that Bohol’s collective harmony and faith would overcome challenges and spread across the country.

“Bohol is always a welcoming place, a new home for others, and home of the finest spots in the global lieu, glistening in its continued motivation, culture and tradition and faith. The entire Bohol will blossom, blossom again, blossom more…,” she said.

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado said, “Boholanos are ruled by a spirit of never dies.”

“Treat a Boholano with respect and kindness, and he will open his humble home for you as a long, long lost brother… And you will enjoy the hospitality of Si Katuna,” said Aumentado

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte signs the "Sara All 2022" hoodie and t-shirt of Hannah Tessa Obedencio and mediaman Cesar Capangangan on July 22, 2022. Photo: Ric Obedencio

After her speech, Duterte went to Shang Palace Seafood Restaurant for an exclusive "meet and greet" with Alyansang Bol-anon Alang sa Kausaban (Abaka) members. 

Duterte was mobbed by excited Abaka members, officials and supporters who wanted to have their autographs signed by the vice president.  She willingly obliged requests for photographs and autographs, but her escorts and security aides whisked her out to the stage for a short program. 

Bohol became a separate politico-military province from Cebu on July 22, 1854.

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