By Genalyn D. Kabiling
President Duterte may be absent during his granddaughter Isabelle’s debut celebration recently but did not miss her precious graduation day.
The President was beaming with pride while attending Isabelle Duterte’s senior high graduation from San Beda College Alabang at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City last Thursday.
Isabelle, daughter of former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, graduated under the Humanities and Social Sciences strand of this year. She shared an Instagram video showing her in a red graduation gown seated beside a smiling President and other family members.
“President Rodrigo Duterte attended the graduation rites of granddaughter Isabelle Lovelie Duterte held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Thursday, May 17,” a Palace press statement said.
“Isabelle, daughter of former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, was among the first batch of senior high school graduates of San Beda College Alabang,” it added.
Isabelle’s parents Paolo and Lovelie Sangkola-Sumera also attended the graduation ceremony.
The Palace said Duterte, a San Beda alumnus, gamely posed for selfies with students on the sidelines of the graduation rites. “Before the end of the commencement exercises, the President went up to the stage and greeted the officers and staff of San Beda College Alabang,” it said.
Last January, the President was unable to attend Isabelle’s grand 18th birth anniversary party at a Makati City hotel since he returned to his hometown Davao City.
