MANILA – Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who became a surprise heartthrob during President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign, spoke highly of his father who he describes as a very “humble man.”

In an interview with the Philippine Star, Baste looked back at his relationship with his father when he was younger.

“Kapag may kasalanan ka, may punishment. If you do something good, you have a reward. Bihira lang 'yung reward. 'Di ko na maalala. Usual punishment ay sinturon. Pinapalo nang nakadapa, minsan nakatayo. Lahat yata ng posisyon ng pagsinturon naranasan ko na sa tatay ko,” he said.

Baste said his fear of his father was also the reason why he took his studies seriously back in the day.

“When I was a child, every time I got back from school, he forced me to read my books. For an hour dapat nasa lamesa lang ako at nakatutok sa libro. Hindi pwede lumingon sa taas. He didn’t care if I read or not basta 'yung mata ko nasa libro,” he recalled.

According to Baste, he had a rough relationship with his father because he was a naughty boy.

“I was 11, in Grade 5, when my parents separated. Napunta ‘ko sa nanay ko. After two years, 'yung nanay ko lumipad ng States and worked as a nanny. So ako lang 'yung naiwan sa bahay. Mga first year high school ako noon. Tapos kinuha ako ng tatay ko. I stayed with him for three months. 'Di kami magkasundo kasi lagi din siya wala sa bahay. Makulit ako. 'Di kami magkasundo,” he said.

This prompted Duterte to send him to Manila to live with his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who was then taking up Law at the San Beda College.

Baste finished high school in San Beda before taking up Legal Management in the same college for a year. However, he decided to go back to his hometown to study Political Science at the Ateneo de Davao University.

“I took up Law for two months. Hindi ko nagustuhan. Maybe that’s the freedom that I want. When I try things and I don’t like it, I just go out of it,” he said.

Although he comes from a political family, Baste has already turned his back on possibly holding a public office.

“My dad wanted me to run for councilor in Davao in 2013. In 2016, he asked if I would want to run for Congress. Ayaw ko naman. I don’t want to sit in an office the entire day listening to other people’s problems. I have a lot of better things to do. The idea of serving people is okay but at this point in my life, ayaw ko talaga,” he said.

Saying he wants to enjoy his own life, Baste said: “I just want to be happy. I want to do things that make me happy. Freedom. The freedom to choose what I want.”

Asked what makes him happy, he immediately said: “Surfing.” In addition to this, Baste is also passionate about music that he put up a band in Davao City.

Even though Baste has shown little interest in being on the spotlight following his father’s victory, Baste said he is willing to help him should he ask him to do something.