When a girl turns 18 in the Philippines, it’s quite customary — at least for wealthier Filipino families — to throw a “debut” party for their daughter.
And when you’re the president’s granddaughter, you get to do some of your pre-debut traditions, like the photo shoot, at the Malacañang Palace.
Pictures from the debut photo shoot of Isabelle Duterte, the daughter of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, were posted on Instagram yesterday.
Based on the Instagram photos posted, Isabelle was wearing gowns by Dubai-based couturier Garimon Roferos.
Based on her captions, she was styled by celebrity stylist Jeff Galang, make-up artist Winn Ramos, and hairstylist Frankie Bacierto.
Photos were done by photographer Lito Sy.
Of course, a glamorous photo shoot posted by the granddaughter of a controversial tough-talking president won’t go unnoticed, and netizens were quick to criticize how she was allowed to do her photo shoot in the palace.
As of 4pm, Isabelle Duterte was a trending topic on Twitter.
Netizen Roxie Ramirez explained, “Malacañang is paid for by tax payers. We’re paying for her photo shoot.”
https://twitter.com/roxieyramirez/status/941516285292175360
Another netizen compared the photo of the red dress with the “blood of slaughtered innocents,” referring to the at least 3,000 people killed in the war on drugs, a cornerstone policy of the president. This number does not include the other estimated 3,000 killed by masked vigilantes. Human rights organizations place the number of people killed at 13,000, a figure the government disputes.
isabelle duterte, swimming in the blood of slaughtered innocents pic.twitter.com/U9CXKwF1ZL
— zenaida seva (@scorsaguin) December 15, 2017
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque defended Isabelle’s photo shoot in a press conference this afternoon. “I don’t think it should be an issue,” Roque was quoted in Rappler.
“The president is entitled to live in Malacañang. He opted not to but I think his relatives, his grandchild, can take pictures inside Malacañang,” said Roque.
He also said it’s not only Isabelle who can do photo shoots, but anyone who wants to.
“They are like ordinary citizens who can have picture-taking in Malacañang,” Roque said.
Isabelle is currently pursuing a showbiz career and is being managed by Annabelle Rama.
