This isn’t goodbye Tatay Digong

This isn’t goodbye Tatay Digong

#PhilTaiFeature This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

January 10, 2016, this was the exact date when I had the chance to meet you in person and I stood beside you while you were gracefully smiling to all the Filipinos who were eager to meet you and to take a photo with you. You were quiet but charming, calm yet accommodating and serious but with great sense of humor. It was that very moment while I was grasping the pockets of your Levis jeans to prevent you from falling from the plastic stool to which you were standing inorder to elevate you and let the people see clearly even from afar, that made me realize how hungry the Filipinos were for the real change in governance and they poured all their hopes in you, Tay Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

菲律賓在台灣Duterte in TaiwanJanuary 10, 2016 This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

Campaign period had started and I devoted myself to social media events. One of the most obvious contribution I had was promoting and editing profile frames on Facebook. With your natural wit and charisma, people were drawn to your meetings in many places all over the Philippines and you were named as the “rock star” presidential candidate. Filipinos cried listening to your convictions and laughed at loud with your practical jokes that made you controversial in the eyes of the biased media.

菲律賓在台灣新的希望PTOTVEp4| Duterte Wins!!!! This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

May 9, 2016, every Filipino supporting you including myself wore red, as part of the online campaign and we were sleepless because We watched the electoral returns for the very first time just to be sure that nothing will keep you from becoming the president of the Republic of the Philippines. Indeed, You won by 16 million votes and for the very first time, a hilly billy became the 16th President of the Las Islas Filipinas!

Baro ni Duterte 杜特蒂74歲生日 This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

Soon after your unprecendented win, I spoke in front of professional Taiwanese crowd to defend your victory. They questioned the votes of the Filipino people which was so ironic to what they read in the news and saw on television. They were utterly confused and quite startled on the contradiction.

菲律賓總統好強| Duterte’s Tyranny Spark Florin This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

The mission to protect this simple Tatay here continued. After a speaking engagement, I had to face the camera for an online article. The same question was asked and again I expressed my response in the most honest way. 

Also read Inday Sara Duterte https://everydaywithgen.com/inday-sara-duterte-30-unbelievable-facts/

Taiwanese Brian likes President Duterte This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

A few months later, I was invited to be a guest speaker on Taiwan National Tv with one of the most famous Talk Show hosts, Paul Lee and the youth panelists. At the beginning, they were so disgusted and unimpressed with Duterte. They accused him of being a killer and a dictator but at the end of the “no cut” discussion, I was able to turn the table in my favor. I changed the mind of everyone with me on that round table. Victory for the Truth, that’s what I say.

Filipina defended Duterte in Taiwan National TV This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong

Every single day, every passing year, less destabilization from the international media but the battle against our very own media is endless. They continue to demoralize the only president that delivered his platform and even more! “Quotang quota na nga eh!”

The Filipino people have spoken about the great change in the country. They feel much safer and now that he has finally accomplished his term, many including myself are crying with mixed emotions. Happy for being healthy for the past years yet sad because we wanted you to stay. I wish you could stay but it’s impossible so all I can do is to share how much grateful I am to be a part of your journey even without you knowing. I had lost my online selling income, I had lost my personal Facebook profile, I had lost some friends but is it worth it? Losing isn’t worth it however, if it is for the good of all, I accepted my fate.

Tatay Digong, with a heavy heart I say, this isn’t goodbye. I hope when this pandemic will be over soon, I could visit you in Davao and treat you with your favorite snack or perhaps we could dine in your favorite restaurant. This has been my wish since 2016 and I really wanted to see you again and thank you for making my village in Cebu safe and productive.

Tears are falling from people who truly understand you. I see my papa in you. As a Mindanaoan too, I am proud of sharing the same ethnicity with you Tay.

Amping pirme Tay and I love you.

Simply,

Gen Hello PhilTai

This isn’t Goodbye Tatay Digong