by Susan Palmes-Dennis
Even here in the Carolinas there are Fil-Americans who want to see Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte become the president of the Philippines.
And the birthday party of Maria Antoinette Cammarano became the best time to talk about what is happening back home. Cammarano, daughter of Anthony Cammarano and Ranulfa ”Ranni” Deloso, celebrated her birthday two weeks ago.
Of course I listened to the conversation that grew intense because Nang Lydia Buten Bordeos, a Bisdak (Bisayang dako or Visayan grown) like me would argue that “Duterte is maisog, dunay baroganan (Duterte is courageous, he has a stand).”
Raised and born in Bohol but left the country five years ago, Lydia still thinks that the only way to have a country where everyone is safe and doesn't have to go abroad to find work is to vote for Duterte.
“Sweldo ta-asan arun dili na mag abroad (salaries should be raised so Filipinos won't have to go abroad),” she said.
Now an American citizen, Lydia was tearful and sentimental as she recalled leaving behind grandchildren and children in Davao to be with her daughter Dorena here in Charlotte.
On recovering her composure, the 70-year-old widow said smiling that Duterte is “dili paling-paling, ang supak sa balaod iya parusahan (doesn't flip-flop, what's against the law he punishes).”
When asked why, she said based on what she read Duterte is “isog” or tough and thus would stand by his decisions. If Duterte is elected, Ranni said she would visit the country every year, not like now when she is scared to set foot on her country of birth.
Ranni visited the Philippines with her daughter last July said she was surprised to experience traffic problems and brownouts in Mindanao. She was in Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro for two weeks visiting her mother and was frustrated about the brownouts there.
She is also aware about the petty crimes in the street as told to her by her cousins and friends. Ranni's parents are from Anda, Bohol province. She said only Duterte can solve the country's problems because she believes that the mayor won't stop looking for answers to problems.
“Na isog giod Duterte ma improve giod Pilipinas like US (Duterte is courageous, the country will improve like the Philippines,” she said.
Maricel Bodiongan-Bender of Lala, Pagadian City said she supports the movement to have Duterte elected as the Philippines' president. “Unsay iya isulti maoy iya buhaton. Way lipud lipud giod (What he says he will do. No beating around the bush),” she said.
The discussion turned serious with everyone saying that if the elections were held in that restaurant where the birthday party is held, Duterte would win hands down.
It is strange that these Fil-Americans have a good impression on Duterte when they have been in the US for more than a decade. Fil-Ams here are aware of what is happening back home based on the reports from relatives and friends and also by reading online news and watching the online broadcasts.
They join the growing number of Filipinos who feel that Duterte should take heed and eventually decide to run for the country's presidency.
Last I heard the PDP-Laban is negotiating with Duterte to become their standard bearer. This is what the Fil-Americans here at the Carolinas are also hoping.
(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines is now employed teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)
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