Kitty’s candlelight appeal

In an emotional plea that resonated with her supporters, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, the youngest daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, recently called on the Filipino people to light a candle at the start of her father’s pre-trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.

This gesture, she explained, is not just a political statement but a symbol of solidarity, hope and unwavering support for a man she deeply admires and loves.

While the legal proceedings seek to hold Duterte accountable for his controversial war on drugs, Kitty’s request underscores something more personal: a daughter’s profound longing for her father — a sentiment that finds an unexpected yet poignant parallel in the lyrics of Luther Vandross’s classic song, Dance with My Father Again.

At just 19 years old, Kitty has grown up under the public eye, witnessing both the heights of power and the burdens of leadership that her father bore. Though often seen as a stoic and formidable leader, Duterte, to his daughter, is simply “Papa.”

Her plea for Filipinos to light candles is not just about political loyalty — it is about preserving the image of her father as a man who, despite his tough public persona, is deeply cherished by his family. This act of lighting a candle can be likened to the metaphorical light in Vandross’s song — a yearning to bring back the warmth, security, and love of a father now seemingly slipping away due to forces beyond their control.

Vandross’s Dance with My Father Again is a deeply personal song about loss and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of a father who once carried his child with love, danced through the living room, and provided a sense of unwavering protection.

Kitty’s call for a candlelight vigil mirrors the same emotions found in the song. When Vandross sings, “If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him,” it echoes Kitty’s silent wish — to hold onto her father a little longer, to turn back time to when he was not facing international scrutiny, but instead was simply her loving parent.

The song’s lyrics also reflect the feeling of helplessness when a beloved figure is taken away. “Sometimes I’d listen outside her door, and I’d hear how my mother cried for him.” This line parallels the Duterte family’s current situation, where they must now watch as Rodrigo Duterte faces potential legal consequences on a global stage.

The ICC trial serves as a reminder that their father, once the most powerful man in the Philippines, is now subject to forces beyond their influence. Kitty’s candlelight request, therefore, is her way of asking the Filipino people to stand beside her, not just in a political battle, but in a daughter’s plea to keep her father close.

In times of crisis, symbols matter. A candle, flickering in the dark, represents hope, guidance, and prayer — values that Kitty is holding onto as she watches her father navigate this tumultuous chapter.

Her request is a reminder that, beyond the political and legal debates, there is a family struggling with the reality of separation.

Just as Luther Vandross longed for one more dance with his father, Kitty Duterte, in her own way, is asking for more time, more understanding, and perhaps, one last moment before the world changes her father’s fate forever.