A Heartfelt Message from Vice President Sara Duterte: Honoring Filipinos Abroad
During her recent visit to the Filipino community in London, Vice President Sara Duterte delivered a poignant message that resonated deeply with those present. With emotion in every word, she honored the sacrifices of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and migrants, emphasizing their invaluable contributions to the Philippines.
“Pagpapasalamat tayo palagi sa ating mga overseas Filipino workers at sa Filipino migrants,” she began, her voice filled with gratitude. “Alam natin na ang dollars ninyo ang pinakamalaking remittance sa Pilipinas.” (*We’re always thankful for our OFWs and Filipino migrants because we know that your dollars are the biggest remittance in the Philippines.*)
In a world where working abroad often feels like the only path to success, Duterte urged her fellow Filipinos to cultivate courage and compassion. “Let’s work together, and make it so that working abroad is a choice, not a necessity, for the generations to come,” she said, her tone hopeful yet serious.
“Seventy years from now, ayaw natin na ang ating mga anak ay pareho ng sitwasyon ng mga overseas Filipinos ngayon,” she continued. “16 hours na nagtatrabaho para masupportahan ang pamilyang naiwan sa Pilipinas.” (*We do not want our children, seventy years from now, to face the same reality as our overseas Filipinos today, working 16 hours a day just to support the families left back in the Philippines.*)
With a strong conviction, Duterte urged, “Mga kababayan, ibalik natin ang tapang at malasakit.” (*My fellow Filipinos, let’s restore our courage and compassion.*)
The Vice President took a moment to challenge a mindset that has become too normalized. “Ang normal na lang para sa mga Pilipino ang pangarap na mag-abroad. Mali yan,” she stated firmly. (*Dreaming of going abroad has become normal for Filipinos, but that is wrong.*) She reminded everyone that the Philippines should be a land of opportunity—one that nurtures dreams right at home.
Duterte did not shy away from addressing the tough realities back in the Philippines, calling out corruption head-on. “Maraming ‘buwaya’ sa Pilipinas,” she declared, equating self-serving officials to crocodiles. “Ang nangyari sa ating mga Pilipino, nagkanya-kanya tayo.” (*There are many ‘crocodiles’ in the Philippines, and as a result, many Filipinos have had to fend for themselves.*)
Duterte’s visit to the UK is part of a broader trip that includes stops in Qatar and the Netherlands, aimed at strengthening ties and acknowledging the struggles and contributions of Filipinos abroad.
As she closed her speech, the emotional weight of her words lingered in the air. It was a call to action—a plea for unity, strength, and compassion in challenging times. Her heartfelt message was not just about recognizing the past; it was about paving the way for a brighter future for every Filipino.
In this moment, the Vice President stood as a beacon of hope, urging each of us to believe in a Philippines that can nurture our dreams right where we are.
