FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now a private citizen, visited Bacolod City on October 3 to pay his last respect to local artist Freddie Mandajoyan Jr.
Mandajoyan, also known as Jun Istalyon, is a Bacolodnon who composed “Hihilom ang Sugat" song played in one of his meetings held at Malacañang at the height of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The artist passed away at the age of 37, and his wake was held at the Valley of Peace in the city.
The former President has personally extended his sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of the young artist whose song got his attention and appreciation, his former staff Jasmin Egan, who is also from Bacolod City, said.
It can be recalled that the former President, who was then in the thick of his meeting, asked his staff to play the song which he said got the very sentiment and spirit of the Filipinos and the nation battling from the ills of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Duterte made his appreciation to the Bacolodnon artist on national television for touching the general sentiment and feelings of the Filipinos at that moment.
While in Bacolod City, the former President also met his friends and former employees at a private resort of the Yanson family in Barangay Bubog, Talisay City on the same day.
He was with Olivia V. Yanson, Ginette Yanson Dumangcas, and Leo Rey Yanson who hosted a dinner for him and his former staff.
In some social media posts of those who attended the dinner, it can be seen that the former President was singing his favorite songs including “Ikaw.”
The Yanson family led by their matriarch has been his friends since he became President.*