The birthday of octogenarian former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who was born and lived until Grade three in Maasin, Southern Leyte, was celebrated nationwide and in other countries on March 28, 2025. The tribute focused on prayer for Duterte’s release and return.
Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity. However, the so-called unfair arrest and “surrendering” of the former President to an international court, in many Filipino’s mind, robbed a Filipino of being tried in a Philippine court. Inherent Filipino culture of caring for its senior citizens and his reported high satisfactory rating in the country’s governance heightened the people’s sentiment, as shown in the massive presence of Filipinos “standing” for Duterte in recent rallies.
Cars and trucks with Philippine flags, green ribbons, banners, and green-white balloons, and riders in green shirts cruised the main streets of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, onwards to Macrohon town, then Padre Burgos, and back to Maasin City for a thanksgiving mass at the national shrine and cathedral parish of Our Lady of Assumption; dinner, and then prayer rally later. A number of supporters donated food and water to the participants. Panny’s Homebake products distributed free bread snacks and sold special Du30 birthday cakes.
The”Bring Duterte Home” Unity motorcade to celebrate the former President’s 80th birthday were also seen in Manila, Lingayen, Pangasinan, Lucena City; Tacloban, Ormoc, Davao City, Butuan, Surigao, Cebu City, Bohol, and many other locations in Luzon, Visayaas and Mindanao hosting their own Unity motorcades in their respective localities.
Rallies abroad: USA – Hermann Park, Houston, TX; Times Square, New York; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Twin Lake, Michigan (March 29); Washington, D.C.; Chandler, Arizona; Tampa, Florida (March 30); Las Vegas, NV; Fresno, California; Netherlands – In front of ICC Building, The Hague;
Papua New Guinea – New Port Moresby; Brunei – Bandar Seri Begawan; Ireland – Newbridge Townhall, Kildare; China – Shanghai; Qatar – Doha; Canada – Saskatchewan, Ottawa, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Chamberlain Settlement, New Brunswick; Toronto; Bahrain – Al Najma Club, Juffair; Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk; England Bayswater, London (March 29)
New Zealand – The Wind Wand, New Plymouth; St. John Vianney,
Auckland; Christchurch City; Dunedin City; Cromwell City; Invercargill City; Hamilton City; Wellington City; Vietnam – Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City; Malaysia – Sabah; Australia – Hughes Community Centre, Canberra; Sydney, NSW; Hobart, Tasmania; Cairns, Queensland; Mid North Coast, NSW; and United Kingdom – Bermuda.
(GMReyes)
