Christmas with the Duterte Clan

 A FAMILY AFFAIR

For presidentiable Rody Duterte, Christmas is sacred, and everyone in the family must be present

By Amyline Quien Ching, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle

Photos courtesy of Davao City Information Cffice

Like everyone else, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte wants to spend Christmas with his family. The mayor kisses his grandson Uno, The youngest son of Paolo Duterte

He is indeed just human, as his recent viral ad that greeted criminals and drug lords a Merry Christmas proclaimed. Because as ferocious as the stance that presidentiable Rody Duterte would like to project to the outside world, campaigning to rid the country of scum, the mayor of Davao City is still quite the lamb when it comes to his family, especially his grandkids.

The young Rody with his mom Soledad R. Duterte

“I find hugs and kisses from my children and grandchildren the sweetest of gestures. ’Yung ganun okay na sa akin,” he says with a smile.

According to the mayor, Christmas is sacred in the Duterte family. Everyone must be present. “Bawal ang wala” as Rody puts it. It’s a tradition that his own mother started when he was a kid. “My most memorable Christmases were when I was a kid. My father was governor of the undivided Davao province then. Malaking responsibilidad ’yun so we didn’t get to see him often. Pero ’pag Christmas, my mother made sure he spent it with us. Hindi pwedeng hindi. So at Christmas, we would always be complete.”

The Duterte clan with Rody’s children and grandchildren

And now, decades later, he enforces the same rule on his own family. Everyone must be present. Even Rody himself makes it a point to stay home for Christmas. “I don’t go out unless there’s a pressing matter that really needs my attention and physical presence.”

The night is usually spent with his children and grandchildren. He considers himself quite the generous gift-giver and enjoys watching the kids open his gifts and seeing their reactions.

There is really no set Noche Buena menu for the Dutertes as it varies each year. But what remains a constant fixture on the dinner table is salted ham, which Rody considers his Christmas Eve treat. Yun, bawal din mawala.

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