Presidential granddaughter Isabelle Duterte finally celebrated her 18th birthday party on Friday and it was just what you would expect if you’ve seen her debut teaser video and invitation (yes, the party had a “teaser” video).
The party was held at the Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City. Isabelle’s debut gown was a sparkling royal blue dress by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco, who has dressed stars like Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce. She also wore a white Orias pantsuit and a lace gown by Joe San Antonio.
Even her “getting ready” get-up was designer. Isabelle wore an old rose dressing gown and robe custom made by La Tercera.
But as grand as the party was, there were two noticeable absences. Isabelle’s father, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and her grandfather, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, were not at the party.
According to a report by online news outlet Rappler, Duterte was in Davao on Friday. Paolo’s reason for skipping the bash is unknown, however, just last month, Isabelle got into a public fight on social media with her father after she tweeted that he allegedly beat someone up.
“Just because you have a position in the city, does not mean you can beat up someone. Even if you have power, you can’t hurt people. The person you hurt was a child. You can’t do that just because you have a name, even if you’re a Duterte,” the private tweet said.
Paolo posted a screenshot of her tweet on his public Facebook account and said in Cebuano: “I will not keep my mouth shut after that person pimped you twice. If your mom and stepfather don’t care about you, I do. Not because I am a Duterte, but because I am a father. Change your family name if you want. You have no respect. Shame on you!”
The confrontation led Paolo to quit his government post days later.
And it’s not just her party that grabbed people’s attention last week. She also got into yet another public argument on social media with the son of Duterte’s Special Assistant Bong Go.
According to ABS-CBN News, it all started with a tweet by Go’s son Chrence.
“There is a sense of entitlement. She even posed with the seal. Weird, so weird,” the tweet read in Filipino.
Chrence seemed to be pertaining to Isabelle’s controversial pre-debut photo shoot in the Malacañang Palace. Pictures from the photo shoot went viral last month and many people thought it was an inappropriate use of the presidential seal. Isabelle was also criticized for being extravagant. Can’t imagine why.
Isabelle did not let go of Chrence’s statement and replied that his father was part of the photo shoot’s planning process. She also threatened to share information about the Go family.
“If you’ve lost that much respect for our family, I won’t hesitate to spill everything I know about your [family],” Isabelle said.
Special Assistant Go will is currently being accused of allegedly interfering with a PHP15.5 billion (US$304 million) frigate acquisition project of the Philippine Navy, something both he and the president have denied.
