CABADBARAN, Agusan del Norte – FOR Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) has also become a journey to reconnect with her roots.

Since MNPR kicked off on February 1, the ride has already passed by the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Leyte, and Eastern Samar.

The ride, which will last for 28 days, is Duterte’s way to inform the people about her advocacy for patriotism.

Duterte said one of her most unforgettable experiences was meeting distant relatives and knowing stories of her family’s ancestry.

“Ang happy memories ko naman is nakilala ko ‘yung paternal grandmother ko dahil doon pala sa route is madadaanan namin kung saan sila nakatira ni Pangulong Duterte noon sa Cabadbaran, Agusan,” Duterte said.

In Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte on Wednesday, teachers of Cabadbaran South Central Elementary School (CASOCES) showed Sara a jar displayed in the school museum.

The small jar was owned by Fortunata Roa, Sara’s great grandmother.

She was the mother of Soledad, President Rodrigo Duterte’s mother.

Ricky Legaria, who is in-charge of the museum, said the jar was donated by the Roldan family, who got it from Fortunata.

Legaria narrated that the decorative piece was one of two jars that the Roas left to the Roldan family as they left Cabadbaran for Leyte in the 1940s.

Marilou Asotigue, the school principal, shared that Soledad Roa taught and was an adviser for Batch 41 of CASOCES when it was still named Cabadbaran Pilot Elementary School (CAPES).

“Napuntahan namin ‘yung school kung saan sya nagturo. Na-point out sa akin kung saan ‘yung bahay nila noon sa Cabadbaran,” Duterte said.

In Liloan, Southern Leyte on Thursday, Duterte said she learned that her great grandfather, Lino, was a mayor of the said town.

“Ang father ni Lola Soling, na nanay ni Pangulong Duterte, ay mayor din pala ng Liloan,” she said.

Duterte said she also met with members of the Roa clan in Leyte.

“Ang sabi nila kilala nila ‘yung great grandfather ko at ‘yung mga descendants ng kapatid ng great grandfather ko ay anduon pa sa Liloan. Yon yung mga happy memories ko na hindi ko matututunan kung hindi ako nag-ride,” Duterte said.

The nationwide caravan is now on its fourth day.