In a shocking turn of events that has captivated not only showbiz circles but also political ones, Sen. Gong Sol and incarcerated former President Matteo Dutart have emerged as the country’s latest “power couple,” but not in the way the public expects. Their “relationship,” known as “SolMate,” has quickly evolved from a political alliance into a full-blown public obsession.
Die-hard SolMate Supporter (DSS) member Rock dela Flora, when questioned about why he remains updated with Sol and Dutart’s every move, said, “Madali lang ang sagot diyan… Solid DSS kasi ako. Mabuhay sila Mate at Sol!”
(The answer to that is easy… I am a solid DSS. Long live Mate and Sol!)
Their “defining” moment
Dutart was arrested last March 1 on charges related to his role as the mastermind of mass violence during his presidency. While everyone celebrated the arrest of a so-called tyrant, for the DSS like Dela Flora, it was a dark day. The detention was to be on the other side of the world, and they might not see their idol for a very long time.
But just as grief took over, one moment changed everything—a scene straight out of a primetime teleserye. Sol, seen standing outside the air base gates with a pizza box in hand, was captured on video pleading with security personnel.
“Yung pagkain, parang awa niyo na, pakibigay na lang kay Mate (Dutart). It’s truffle four-cheese, his favorite,” Sol pleaded, as the DSS behind him backed him up and insisted that they let him in.
(The food, for goodness sake, just give it to Mate.)
Days after the clip went viral, in an interview with DSS member and self-proclaimed journalist Ate Chona Uson, Sol expressed, “Even when love gets stopped at the gates, I will still choose to deliver… They (security) cannot keep us apart.”
True love or a PR stunt?
The nation was quick to react to Sol’s extra cheesy gesture. However, speculations built up as to the pair’s ultimate goal. Some believe this to be a public exclamation of SolMate’s eternal love, while others, primarily former fans of President Eugenio Narcos Jr. and Vice President Timara Dutart’s “EuNaTim,” believe that this is an elaborate plan to distract the nation.
“Aba siyempre, sa tagal-tagal nilang nagsama, silang dalawa–hanggang dulo na yan,” says in a DSS copy-pasta circulating on social media website FACECOOKED.
(Of course… these two, in the many years they have been together—this is until the end.”)
Meanwhile, formerly known YouNiTeam shipper, presidential sister, and now lone senatorial candidate Ai May Narcos, took to Y (formerly X) to vent out her thoughts. “Hindi ‘to totoo… Hindi ‘to totoo. ‘Wag kayo maniwala, gusto niya lang kayo hindi maging mulat. Tingnan niyo sila Hairy Poque pati si Robyngood Patilla, nandoon ngayon sa Netherlands, sinusupporta si… [M.] Dutart. Kung gusto talaga ni Sol si Mate, bakit itong si Sol wala?”
(That is not real… That is not real. Do not believe it, he just wants you to be unaware. Look at Hairy Poque and Robyngood Patilla, they are in the Netherlands right now, supporting Duterte. If Sol really wants Mate, why is Sol not there?)
‘Til death do us part
For die-hard fans like Aling Perla, the SolMate love team is unbreakable. “Iba ang tinginan nila! Hindi basta ginagawa ‘yan ng kahit sinong alipores!” she gushes, proudly holding a SolMate Till The End mug.
(They look at each other differently! That is not something any servant would do!)
But skeptics see things differently. “Luma na ‘yang pakilig strategy—panakip lang sa mga mas seryosong isyu,” argues political analyst Marites Magduda. “While we are caught up in this manufactured love story, real policies are being ignored.”
(That “kilig” strategy is already outdated—a cover-up for more serious issues.)
Even A. Narcos could not resist throwing shade: “Kung loyal talaga, bakit hindi siya sumakay ng eroplano kasama si Mate?”
(If he really is loyal, why did he not board the plane with Mate?)
With Dutart in the Netherlands and Sol left behind, a question plagues the very core of the nation: will this love team defy the odds, or was it all just for show?
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s Spoof 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSSpoof2025.