Erika Nymph F.

Tubig
BS Architecture 4B

DU30: An Unorthodox Change

On May 9, 2016, the Philippines hailed what many considered to be an out of

the box persona that is Rodrigo Roa-Duterte as the 16 th President of the Republic. A
staggering of more than sixteen million Filipinos voted for him. Imperial Manila cant
do anything but watch as he take over the whole nation coming from the unstable
Mindanao. Fast forward, a month after he took oath last June 30, I and every other
citizen of this country have seen a president unlike any other.
Now, 25th of July came his very first State of the Nation Address. All eyes and
ears were on him that day. This years SONA played out differently than the previous
one. Change came in a lot of ways. For the past several years, this political event
was reflected as the OSCARs of the Philippines but it all went out the window
when the still liked to be called Mayor Rody ordered some notable alterations. No
more red carpet worthy attires for the politicians and their wives. They walked
wearing toned-down business attires. The President didnt follow the traditional
protocols such as the small welcoming committee and used informal language
during his speech. He made the occasion in a different light than its usual. True to
his nature, expect the unexpected type of approach.
The said to be a 45-minute calculation of the final draft of Dutertes speech
turned out to be twice longer than that. It was the longest SONA ever given by a
president of our country up to this date. He veered away from his speech for several
times. One thing, many people now knows he is a certified story teller and is quite
good in making some jokes along the way too. Netizens were so much into it that
they didnt noticed that it was as long as a movie already. Like Rappler had
described it, his speech was off-script but still on-point. President Rodrigo Dutertes
hard stance against illegal drugs was still a highlight on that Monday afternoon. He

was quite aggravated on the Commission of Human Rights, pointing out that they
are using human rights as a roadblock to his unrelenting war against illegal drug
trade and criminality. He also declared a unilateral ceasefire with leftist rebels as
part of his bid to lasting peace within the country and vowed stronger counterterrorism drive. Of course, the public eye wont forget the moment he promised
faster internet and free-WiFi on public areas. Hooray! Put your hands up people!
Your cellphones and laptops better be ready. On a serious note, Is the Congress
granting him emergency powers? You can already hear the commuters begging for
it to escape the hellish traffic in Manila. Who wouldnt want that, right? Long lines in
government services, no more. My moms already excited to get her passport. What
seemed to be shortsighted on all the things of his speech was the West Philippines
Sea issue. I wasnt disappointed though, just expecting for more. I get the no
gloating, no taunting stance of the administration but we were following the
international law on the seas. Oh well, we cant have it all. Anyways, the award was
favorable to us so lets just wait and see how it will all play out especially that
Chinas global reputation is on the line and on the brink of isolation my world
powers.
Like his words, I also hope and pray that after his six-year term, the
Philippines would no longer be the sick man of Asia and rise to that former title as
the Pearl of the Orient Seas.
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can for your country. Be a
Duterte of your own.