Mabel Sunga Acosta: Mayor Duterte and the making of Davao (Book Launching)

Monday, August 08, 2016

Mayor Duterte and the making of Davao (Book Launching)

Unveiling of the Duterte Book (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

As you enter the doors of the SMX Convention Center, you will notice the Indian inspired doorways and cocktail area.

In a memorable evening of August 5, 2016, Filipinos and the Indian community in Davao City gathered to witness the much awaited launching of the book that sets its lens to Mayor now President Rody Duterte and the transformation of Davao City.

The project is a collaborated efforts of the Davao Christian Bible Channel, Inc., and the Davao Medical Education & Management Services headed by Dr. David Pillai.

Ms. Abrina giving her Opening and Thanksgiving Message to the audience (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

The President wasn't able to grace the event however he was duly represented by Atty. Melchor Quitain Sr. Atty. Quitain mentioned in his speech that there are two irony that can be seen in the event. First, there are much more Indian people present in the launching than Filipinos gracing the event. The DMEMS gathered their Indian national students during the event to see and support the project which also speaks of the good relationship India and Davao City has.

The second irony was, it took a foreigner (Indian) to compile all the details, information and to actualize a book about the City's beloved mayor and it's transformation. For Dr. Pillai, it is the Indian community's, also his, form of gratitude to the mayor and the city for accommodating the Indian students in their academic journey in the city. This also extends to the good and friendly relation we have to India.

Dr. Pillai giving his message (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Chief Legal Counsel Salvador "Sal" Panelo (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

With the joy of having Davao City as a partner of the Indian community, the book launching was graced by the Ambassador of India to the Philippines himself, H.E Lalduhthlana Ralte and the Official Representative of Philippines to India H.E Teresita Daza.

H.E Lalduhthlana Ralte, Ambassador of India to the Philippines (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

In the speech of Dr. Pillai, he said that compiling the bits of history and the vital information about the mayor wasn't easy at all. They even collaborated with the writers of Piglasapat (a political student organization from the Ateneo de Davao University) to make the research more efficient.

Some copies of the book were donated to the City Government of Davao and the proceeds of the first 1,000 copies will be donated to President Duterte's charity projects.