Shukran

 

                                              (photo: MindaNews)

Miduaw.

“Shukran,” the standard Arabic word for “thank you,” has become a familiar expression often used by Vice President Sara Duterte across her communication platforms, gradually emerging as one of her recognizable trademarks. Beyond this, she frequently incorporates various local dialects and languages when greeting audiences during her engagements, a gesture that conveys inclusivity and cultural sensitivity toward the country’s diverse communities.

Recently, she visited communities affected by Typhoon Basyang, personally reaching out to residents, speaking in their local dialect, and wearing simple, non-threatening attire that ordinary people could easily relate to. Her gestures reflected humility and solidarity, drawing people closer as she projected a genuine sense of connection with the community.

This discussion is not centered on the Vice President herself, but rather on the broader significance of representation. Some leaders are able to engage meaningfully with the masses because they possess an intuitive understanding of how to relate to the majority. If such connection is strategically cultivated, it becomes difficult to replicate for those who merely attempt to simulate solidarity with the poor and marginalized, as authenticity cannot be easily manufactured.

Authentic engagement fosters trust because individuals perceive shared identity and lived understanding, rather than performative association. Leaders who demonstrate cultural awareness and genuine proximity to people’s experiences are more likely to gain public confidence and sustained support (Pitkin, 1967).

Politicians must therefore prepare themselves by developing both strategic awareness and a deep understanding of public engagement. This underscores the importance of political science as an academic discipline, designed to equip individuals with the theoretical knowledge and practical insights necessary for navigating governance, public service, and the complex dynamics of people and their politics.

Whether the Vice President consciously studied and applied these approaches or whether they stem from her innate disposition, many people appear to resonate with her presence. There are detractors who view such gestures as superficial or politically motivated; yet the visible, unfiltered responses of ordinary citizens, particularly those who warmly embraced the country’s second-highest official, reveal a palpable connection.

As a practitioner of Stoicism, this writer approaches politics with detachment, focusing less on individual personalities and more on the broader implications for the common good. From this perspective, the role is simply to observe. The narratives are clear: some leaders demonstrate a genuine understanding of representation, whether motivated by personal gain or by a sincere commitment to the welfare of the people.

Ultimately, true leadership is measured not by titles or rhetoric, but by the authenticity of connection and the tangible impact of representation on the lives of the people, as reflected in both symbolic gestures and everyday interactions.