PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte received a Man of the Year award from a national newspaper for his nationalism.
Duterte during the 5th Manila Times Business Forum received the first man of award given by the Manila Times.
Dante Ang, Chairman Emeritus of Manila Times, said that the award is given to a person who captures the imagination of the Filipino people.
Duterte received an artwork, which depicts a katipunero with red handkerchief tied around his neck, riding a horse and holding a sword
"I do not accept awards, except this one," he said.
Duterte bared that many organization has offered him an award for his political service including the deeds he had done like in the Pugoy hostage incident.
"Some organizations offered me award for the particular event and I made it a matter of personal policy not to accept award, but [ I received] this award maybe because it is a high time that as I go beyond, I have received an award," Duterte said before businessmen.
Duterte also reminisced his high school years when he was already satisfied with a grade of 75.
Ang, as the presenter of the award, did not only focus on praising Duterte but also bluntly described him.
"He speaks his mind out. He is the ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get’ type. He is a brilliant political strategist," Ang said.
Ang noted that Duterte, even before declaring his presidential candidacy, "had already caused considerable disruptions to the political arena and made the grounds shake and shift from under the feet of his opponents."
"He is brash. He is politically incorrect. His private and public discourses are laden with his favorite word that begins with letter “P.”
He has demonstrated the audacity to stand up to the superpowers in the name of an independent foreign policy that is pro-Philippines and friendly to all," Ang said.
"Our Man of the Year is a man of integrity and conviction. Love him, hate him, he will do what he thinks is right and good for the Filipinos. His methods could be brutal at times but make no mistake about it, he has “pusong mamon, a soft heart for the oppressed and the marginalized.
"He genuinely cares for the Filipino people and would offer his life in the service of the nation. Our Man of the Year is a true nationalist," he added. (KVC)