San Pedro Square turned into a veritable fiesta as Davao City’s favorite daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, took her oath as the country’s 15th vice president on Sunday.
Inday Sara, wearing a “classic with a twist” emerald Filipiniana gown by designer Silverio Anglacer, delivered the shortest inaugural speech—all of about 12 minutes—to cap the festive occasion.
The audience came from all walks of life—from political big guns led by President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and incumbent and elected lawmakers to ordinary Dabawenyos who have seen Inday Sara’s growth as a politician in her hometown, having served as Davao City mayor since 2016 and from 2010 to 2013.
Green—her campaign color as the running-mate of Marcos Jr. under the UniTeam banner—was also the dominant shade for the dresses of most of the attendees, including that of her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Marcos Jr.’s wife, Liza.
The program was preceded by an hour-long thanksgiving mass celebrated at the San Pedro Cathedral by Archbishop Romulo Valles, who reminded Inday Sara that being able to serve the country was a “gift” and an “extraordinary chance.”
“As we know, these needs can be clouded, can be obscured, can be distorted or hidden for many reasons like fake news and vested interests. The needs can be overwhelming to the point of making us feel small and inadequate. During these moments, may you have the sharp eyes of the eagle–never to miss the ever abiding presence of Jesus in our needs and trust that He will be working through you,” Valles said.
The University of Mindanao Chorale rendered the national anthem and the city’s hymn, “Tayo’y Dabawenyo” during the inaugural ceremony, followed by an ecumenical prayer by Fr. Emmanuel Gonzaga, a Catholic, Aleem Mohammed Pasigan, a Muslim, and Datu Rodolfo Mande, a Matigsalug.
Before Inday Sara took her oath, Filipino rapper Andrew E. and Njel de Mesa performed a musical number.
She was flanked by her mother, Elizabeth, and her father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, as she was sworn into office by Supreme Court Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando.
The strong-willed presidential daughter, outgoing Davao City mayor, and mother of three, bared she once dreamed of becoming a doctor. Fate, however, had other plans.
“My life is a testament to the power of a God, whom we know by many names. My younger self was consumed by a dream to become a doctor. I pursued a pathway that I thought could help me realize that dream, but I was directed toward another way. And now I am a lawyer,” she said.
“When I committed myself to governance and public service, I was also determined to finish three consecutive terms as mayor. That will not happen anymore. I am now the vice president-elect,” she added.