SEOUL MEETUP. Vice President Sara Duterte (standing in red) spends time with overseas Filipino workers at Lotte Hotel in Seoul before capping her official trip to South Korea on Thursday (Sept. 21, 2023). Duterte attended the Global Education and Innovation Summit and was one of the keynote speakers. (Photo courtesy of OVP) 

MANILA – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte met with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) before ending her official travel to South Korea where she attended the Global Education and Innovation Summit (GEIS).

In a news release on Friday, the OFWs said it was an honor that an incumbent Vice President made time to visit them.

“Sobrang happy namin kasi every event namin, kami lang talaga. Kaya nung nagsabi na bibisitahin kami ni VP, feeling namin na worth it lahat ng efforts namin noong last election dito sa South Korea (We are very happy because in our events, it’s just us gathering. That’s why when we heard VP [Sara] will visit us, we felt all our efforts here in South Korea last elections were worth it),” an OFW said during the Thursday gathering at a hotel, as quoted by a news release of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

Jackie, 39, an OFW in South Korea for 13 years now, expressed her continued support for the Marcos administration and the OVP.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Ma’am Sara dahil sa kabila ng busy schedule niya, binigyan niya kami ng oras para ma-meet (We thank Ma’am Sara because despite her busy schedule, she gave us some of her time),” Jackie said.

“Ipagpatuloy lang niya ang magandang adhikain sa bansa and ‘wag po siyang magpapatalo sa lahat ng batikos. Andito lang kami para suportahan siya (She should just continue her good advocacy for the country and not be bothered by the criticisms. We are here to support her),” she assured.

Duterte also expressed her pride for the OFWs for their “sacrifices and hard work.”

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyo dahil naitataas niyo ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa. And it makes us proud na naririnig namin sa mga dayuhan ang appreciation nila sa mga trabaho ninyo (I am thanking you for raising the Philippine flag in a foreign country. And it makes us proud hearing from foreigners their appreciation for your work),” Duterte said.

It was reported that around 57,000 Filipinos are working in South Korea.

Duterte, who was one of the GEIS keynote speakers, also met with Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Ju-ho Lee and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to discuss bilateral ties between the Philippines and South Korea.

‘You Can Be VP’

All throughout her trip, Duterte was with Kester, 9, a Grade 4 student of Tito Melecio Elementary School in Danao City, Cebu who was the third participant in the OVP’s “You Can Be VP” (YCBVP) special project.

The YCBVP allows Kester to observe and experience what it is like being the second highest-ranking leader of the country.

Participants also see first-hand the duties of the Vice President by allowing them to follow and observe her official engagements. They were chosen based on academic records and commitment to finish their studies and fulfill their dreams. (PNA)