The Philippine Star

Rody: No one beats Pinays in beauty, smell

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

He was prim and proper during the visit of Miss Universe candidates last Monday but President Duterte was back to his old self yesterday when he declared that he prefers Filipinas over women of other nationalit­ies because they are beautiful and smell good.

It all started when Duterte told families of the 44 police commandos who were killed during the 2015 Mamasapano clash that US President Donald Trump had a message for him.

Duterte said Trump sent him his warm regards through Paula Shugart, whom he erroneousl­y described as the US representa­tive to Miss Universe 2016. Shugart is president of the Miss Universe Organizati­on, the organizer of the beauty tilt being hosted by the Philippine­s. “President Trump requested her to extend his best regards to President Duterte. According to Ms. Shugart, President Trump supports his administra­tion and has requested her to relay this message to him,” Duterte said.

After saying that he was not invited to Trump’s inaugurati­on, Duterte suddenly mentioned the need to drop a colonial mindset that is excessivel­y dependent on the US. “Pero di ako pumunta dun sa inaugurati­on. Di naman ako niyaya, e di huwag. Di ko naman sila niyaya. Tayo-tayo lang ditong Filipino (But I did not go to the inaugurati­on. I wasn’t invited. Fine. We Filipinos are on our own). I don’t need them, it’s about time you disabuse our mind from the colonial (mindset),” Duterte said.

The President then joked about former US president Barack Obama sending him a note informing him about the recommenda­tion to prosecute him before the Internatio­nal Criminal Court.

“Son of a b****. They (US) are not part of the Internatio­nal Criminal Court. Why would you do that to me? Then you reprimand in public? Who are you? Go to hell,” Duterte said, referring to the Obama administra­tion’s criticism of his war on drugs.

Duterte went on to say that he would never visit the US even if he is introduced to Miss Universe beauties.

“There will never come a time that I will go to America. I swear, I swear,” Duterte said. “Maski ipakilala ako sa lahat ng Miss Universe dun, sa inyo na lang. Tiis na lang ako sa mga Filipina. Maganda na mabango

pa (Even if you introduce me to all the Miss Universe candidates there, that’s all yours. I will make do with Filipinas. They are beautiful and smell good),” he added, drawing laughter from the audience, which included children.

“I’m not trying to be derogatory, but it just doesn’t fit,” he added.

The President then dismissed his remarks as a joke.

“Saan na yung magaganda? May nakita ako kanina, nawala naman. Biro lang yan ha… Huwag yung biyuda, ayaw ko yun sila. Yung kapatid na walang commitment. Nagpatawa na lang tayo (Where are the beautiful women I saw earlier? They are gone. I’m just joking. I don’t want widows. Maybe their si s t e r s wh o do not have commitment. We’re just joking),” Duterte said.

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