MANILA, Philippines — A photo of someone who looks like President Rodrigo Duterte shown eating with his bare hands has gone viral in a Facebook post.
The said photo was believed to be taken before Duterte was elected as the Chief Executive of the country back in 2016, according to comments to the Facebook post. The photo appears in the Duterte Para sa Bayan Facebook group.
“Napaka simple lang ng buhay ng [Presidente] Noon. Walang Mga Issue. Malinis na [Presidente] Pero Pilit Nilalagyan Ng Dumi Ng Mga Kalaban Para Sa Kapangyarihan,” read the caption.
“Kami Ang Pumilit Na Tumakbo Ka? Patawarin mo kaming pumilit sayo ikaw kasi ang kelangan Namin at ng Bansa na ito na Philippinas! Kaya Ngayon Kami Naman Ang Magpoprotekta Sayo. WE SUPPORT YOU MR, [PRESIDENT] [DUTERTE],” it added.
The photo has then stirred some discussion on whether the man seated on a wooden chair, eating with his bare hands while holding a mug was the President or not.
Some say “Duterte” looked somewhat thin in the photo, while others said the photo was taken years back when he was still mayor of Davao City. While there were questions on when was the photo taken, the post nonetheless earned expressions of admiration and support for the President.
Is it really Duterte?
It took netizen Aica Riz Ganhinhin to put the issue to rest when she said that the man in the photo is not the President, but her 73-year old grandfather Ricarte Erese.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Aica said her grandfather is often mistaken for the President.
“Sanay na siya! Haha. (He is already used to it). Once sinamahan ko siya magpacheckup, yung mga doctor sa outpatient department nagpapicture sa kanya. (Once he went for a checkup and the doctors at the outpatient department took a photo with him). Nakakatawa kasi pag nasa labas kami (It is funny that when we are out, we get this certain look from people) and we see this certain look from people, gets na namin,” Aica said in an online conversation.
Aica Riz Ganhinhin with her grandfather Ricarte Erese (Photo courtesy of Aica Riz Ganhinhin)
While she could not remember when the photo was taken, Aica said that it might probably when her grandfather went to Sabangan in the Mountain Province his home province.
Aica added that her grandfather often eats with his bare hands.
“Madalas talagang nagkakamay si dad (Dad often eats with his hands). Mas masarap daw kasi kumain pag nagkakamay. Hindi siya kawawa! Hahahahaha. Sabi kasi sa comments kawawa siya tignan e,” (He is not pitiful. He eats with his bare hands saying the food tasted better) she said.
According to Aica, she stumbled into the photo while she was scrolling her Facebook account over the weekend.
She said that a friend of hers shared the post from a pro-Duterte Facebook group page, and on seeing the photo, she immediately recognized her grandfather.
Aica added that it was not the first time that her grandfather had a stolen shot posted online. She added that her grandfather even got featured in a television show for his uncanny resemblance to the President.
“Baka daw dapat may talent fee na siya next time, sikat na daw pala siya,” (He said maybe he should get a talent fee for it next time) Aica said quoting her grandfather.
Aica described her grandfather as “very sweet.”
Aica said her grandfather even has a handheld radio he uses to talk to the subdivision security guards whenever she heads out.
“Everytime I have to go out, gusto ko nagtratricyle ako palabas kasi tamad ako maglakad. He has this radio na he can use to talk to the guards sa gate,” (When I go out riding a tricycle, he has this radio which he uses to talk to the guards at the gate) she said.
“Pag nakikita na niya kong bumaba sa sala nang naka bihis, kinukuha na niya kaagad yung radio kasi tatawag na siya ng trike for me kahit di pa ko nakakapag toothbrush,” (Whenever he would see me all dressed-up and ready to go, he would grab his radio and call for a tricycle) she added.
Aica said her grandfather is also the typical Filipino grandfather who always like to have rice in his meals.
She said her grandfather’s favorite past time is to sleep and watch television, making him the simple person as described by the comments in the Facebook post.
When asked if her grandfather is aware of the viral Facebook post, Aica said yes.
“Lola ko nagpakita sakanya. Natawa siya. Natutuwa siya kasi halos ka age niya lang din daw pala yung President,” (It was my grandmother who showed him the Facebook post. He was delighted to learn that he is about the same age as the President) she said.
As for her message for her grandfather, Aica said that he should use his Facebook account more often in order to know how far he has become popular..
The Facebook photo of Aica’s grandfather remains posted in the Duterte Para sa Bayan Facebook group page as of this writing. It has gathered more than 5,300 reactions and 1,800 shares. /muf