Editorial: Farewell, Nanay Soling

Monday, February 6, 2012

IN HER lifetime, she was surrounded by politicians, each a breed of its own.

SolEdad Roa Duterte was wife of then Davao governor Vicente Duterte; mother of six-term mayor Rodrigo Duterte; grandmother of Davao City's first lady mayor, Inday Sara Duterte.

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She was a shadow in her own right, always there but never outshining her husband, son nor granddaughter. In her own right, she started the Yellow Friday Movement in Davao City, calling on all citizens to restore freedom and democracy in the country.

For those who have met Nanay Soling, as she is fondly called, she strikes a soft-spoken but firm figure. She need not raise her voice to be heard for she commanded authority and respect wherever she went.

The monicker Nanay Soling suited her well as she was viewed as the mother of everyone, serving the community even after her retirement.

With her passing away last February 4, the city turns another page of grief in its history, that of putting an end to a brave matriarch who stood by her ideals. She was 96.

Upon her last request, Nanay Soling was cremated at 1:30 in the afternoon of the same day.

Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte along with his other siblings were in attendance. The mass and cremation was said to be private.

A disciplinarian, a fighter, a woman who served her community well, that is the essence of Nanay Soling.