FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte graced the inauguration of a school building in China named after his late mother, Soledad Roa Duterte, more known as “Nanay Soling.”
In a report from SMNI News, the Soledad Roa Duterte Memorial Building in Fujian Normal University (FNU) was inaugurated on Wednesday, July 19.
The college building named after his mother is located in Fuzhou, the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian province.
Duterte was joined by Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and former Executive secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea.
During the ceremony, the contribution of "Nanay Soling" as an educator, philanthropist, and social activist has been preserved in the Ms. Soledad Memorial Hall and the Center for Philippine Studies.
She was also one of the pioneering teachers of the Davao City Chinese School in the 1950s.
In an inscription, the former president wrote: “Fujian Normal University promotes people-to-people ties between China and the Philippines through education and has achieved fruitful results. Looking forward to continuing to cultivate and create new achievements! I love Fujian Normal University!"
Duterte also planted a friendship tree in front of the Soledad Building.
In the report, Quiboloy said the late president's mother was "a strict disciplinarian mother of then-Mayor Duterte, who used to fondly send him letters and notes from time to time. "
In November 2017, Soledad College was established inside the FNU.
In a previous report, it said that Soledad has family ties with Fujian Province.
Duterte earlier had a courtesy call to the Chinese President Xi Jinping where he personally extended gratitude for his friendship and the varied assistance extended to the Philippines.
The meeting was held on Monday, July 17, 2023, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong” Marcos Jr. welcomed the meeting between Duterte and Xi.
“I hope that napag-usapan nila ‘yung mga issue na ngayon, ‘yung mga nakikita natin, ‘yung mga shadowing, ‘yung mga kung ano-ano...All of these things that we are seeing now, I hope na napag-usapan nila para naman magkaroon tayo ng progress. Kasi ‘yun naman talaga ang habol natin ay ipatuloy ang pag-uusap. Kaya’t I welcome any new lines of communication (I hope that they have discussed the issues that we are seeing now, the shadowing, the things... All of these things that we are seeing now, I hope that they have been discussed so that we can make progress. Because that's really what we're after is to continue the conversation. So I welcome any new lines of communication.),” Marcos said.
Shadowing refers to several incidents in the West Philippine Sea where Chinese vessels moved closer to Philippine ships.
China has been claiming ownership of the West Philippine Sea despite the ruling of the arbitral tribunal affirming the right of the Philippines over the disputed territory.
Marcos said it is not important who is talking with Xi as long as somebody is having a conversation with China, which may help in resolving issues.
Meanwhile, Duterte arrived in Davao City on Saturday, July 22, Saturday from his trip in China.
The former president will be attending the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of Marcos on Monday, July 24. (RGL)