DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 1 April) — Davao-based artist Kublai Millan revisited one of his earlier works in a Facebook post marking former President Rodrigo Duterte’s birthday on March 28, pairing the painting with a personal account of his encounters with the longtime Davao mayor. The painting features an old sculpture Millan created in People’s Park in Davao City, depicting children from the original inhabitants and pioneering settlers holding a fabric, with a dove-like form symbolizing peace. Millan shared a story of Duterte inspecting the park, jokingly threatening him if he ever made a statue of him. Despite this, Millan later sculpted a young Duterte after being approached by his mother, Nanay Soling, describing the experience as one that maintained their friendship. The painting visually frames their relationship, with Duterte’s checkered-shirted figure extending an arm around another, echoing the anecdote. The composition symbolizes leadership, labor, and public service, reflecting Duterte’s image as a “president of the people.” Together, the painting and post highlight how personal encounters, artistic choices, and public symbolism shape the memory of political figures in Davao. (Bea Gaymaytan / MindaNews)
