If Mayors Ruled The World [Duterte - Robredo]

"Camarines Sur"

Digong PoV

Presentacion, Camarines Sur

It's been a week since I last talked to Jesse (Moises) and di parin ako mapakali because of what we talked about – particularly about Leni. I am riding a helicopter bound to Camarines Sur to see the extent of damages the recent typhoon has made and to give some help. I asked Mia to join me as she speaks their language. Kelangan ko ng translator, I thought.

"Ang tahimik mo, ma'am," I tell her.

"Huh? Sorry sir, I'm looking at the damage below; I was told quarrying daw major reason for this," she replied, staring blankly at her hands.

I sighed. I look down and it's a mess of a mud below. I looked again at her and she's still staring at her hands, not moving. I held her hand. She suddenly looked up.

I gave her a weak smile.

"Magalit si ma'am sir," She blurted out, her eyes bulging. I laughed.

"Buang ka. I have an idea, help me later."

"What?"

"Basta, I can only do so much to help and cheer up the people." I tightened my grip on her hand as we land at Presentacion, Camarines Sur.

--

We arrived and we were led to a 4x4 vehicle to bring us to a covered court where some of the local officials and some residents were waiting. We passed by some really rough roads and I can see the pain on the face of my transportation secretary. At one point, she even requested to step down from the vehicle to check on damaged transportation facilities. When we arrived at the covered court, I noticed Mia hurrying from behind.

"Magboots ka, Mayor," I heard her say as she tugged along the vehicle as it halted to a stop. My aide helped me to wear some boots they brought. I slowly stepped down and looked at the all the faces looking at me – there's the governor with all his security around him, the town leaders and the people who looked at me like they want to eat me alive. I talked to the governor and he gave some facts about the extent of the damage and what they did and all the other things I am not interested to hear – I looked at the faces of the people affected and their children and I reached out to them before I even got up the stage. Some looked at me curiously, indifferently, some held my hand and offered no words and some hugged me tight. I hugged them back.

I got up the stage and talked about the same things – government is doing everything it can to help the people, brought some help to ease the pain – I refrained from my usual rants and just told the people what my team can do for them.

As I finished my speech, I called on Mia. "Etong si Mia, the transportation secretary, she is very hard working, I am sure she will help you build your transportation network again, Mark is not here, yung DPWH, but we will tell him." People clapped their hands, a bit louder this time as Mia took a bow. People from different parts of the country know her because she's always out on the field. I took the opportunity.

"Um, actually, I brought Mia with me to be my translator also – she speaks Bicolano and Bisaya, do you know that?" I tugged her arm and some people smiled, others laughed – I take that as a cue. "Halika, Ma'am," She stood beside me, smiling. I turned off the mic and whispered to her something. She laughed and translated it for me. I turned on the mic again. I hope I say it right.

"Padangat taka, (I love you)" I slowly say and the people clapped their hands and replied the same. I smiled at them.

Mia got a mic and said something in their language that made most people went ballistic. I looked at her, demanding an explanation and she pulled me to the side.