Kitty Duterte recounted an emotional reunion with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during a recent interview with Alvin & Tourism, describing the visit as both joyful and heartbreaking after months apart.
Speaking shortly after arriving in the Netherlands at around 6 a.m., Kitty said she was visibly nervous and overwhelmed upon seeing her father again, admitting it was the first time she had cried in public.
“I was so nervous. I haven’t seen him for about two months since October,” she said, adding that she was also dealing with flu-like symptoms at the time of the visit. To protect his health, she limited physical contact, only kissing him on the forehead and sharing a brief embrace.
Kitty recalled that her father was surprised and happy to see her, even complimenting her appearance. She shared lighter moments from their conversation, including how he noticed she was wearing his college ring — a symbol of his pride as a lawyer — and teased her about her appearance.
Despite the laughter, Kitty said she saw a deep sense of longing in his eyes. “He said he doesn’t regret having a daughter like me,” she shared, a moment that moved her to tears.
Kitty confirmed that she will spend the holidays in the Netherlands with her family, including her mother and niece, Mira. While there are no scheduled visits on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day due to local arrangements and visitation schedules, she said what matters is that her father knows they are nearby.
Asked about ongoing political attacks against members of the Duterte family, Kitty said such criticisms are expected, particularly toward her sister, whom she described as “the biggest threat” because of her genuine desire to serve the public.
She concluded the interview by expressing gratitude to Duterte supporters, especially those in the Netherlands.
“Thank you for not giving up on us — especially on him. Thank you for the prayers,” Kitty said. “We’re not perfect, but we’re true. And we’re always going to be here, not just during election time.”
The interview ended with holiday greetings exchanged between Kitty and members of the Filipino community abroad, wishing each other a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.