About

Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Tesoro Go is a Filipino official who holds the position of Special Assistant to the President (SAP) of the Philippines with the rank of Secretary since the start of Rodrigo Duterte's Presidency in 2016 but he has been an aide of Duterte way back in 1988.^[1]

He is a close family friend of the Duterte family who is privy to the affairs of the clan. Go describes himself as a "all-around utility man" of Duterte. When Duterte was still Mayor of Davao City, he helped him mostly in processing the requests of sick, dying and financially needy citizens.^[1] Go became the aide of Duterte after the latter's former aide died.^[2]

Online History

2016 Philippine presidential elections

Duterte files his Certificate of Candidacy to run for President | Photo Courtesy of Bong Go

He was brought to national limelight as early as October 2015 when then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte filed his certificate of candidacy to run for President in the 2016 Philippine elections. He was involved in making the schedule of Duterte's electoral campaign. He also spoke on Duterte's behalf on television at times during the campaign.^[1]

Photos of Duterte relayed to the media during the campaign reportedly always included Bong Go which led to editors in newsroom who are tasked to cropped him out of the photos calling him as a "national photobomber".^[1][2]

As Special Assistant to the President

Bong Go remained Rodrigo Duterte's aide when the latter was elected as President of the Philippines. Go's post is officially known as "Special Assistant to the President" (SAP) with the rank of Secretary.

31st ASEAN Summit

Bong Go received press coverage when he posted selfies he took with world leaders in attendance at the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.^[3] The selfies also received coverage from The Washington Post. One of the photos which received more attention was Bong Go's photo of President Duterte and US President Donald Trump meeting at the summit for the first time. ^[4] The Washington Post report also appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald.^[5]

When asked on his opinion on his title as "national photobomber", he says he is okay being called as such but modestly said he isn't an "international photobomber" ^[6]

Duterte meets President Trump | Photo Courtesy of Bong Go

Photo by SAP Bong Go

Bong Go's selfie with Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Trump later became a meme. The meme involves superimposing Bong Go over a background depicting various subjects.

The origin of the meme can be traced from Reddit. The photo in question was first posted in the Philippines subreddit on November 11, 2017.^[7] User grayves later posted a .png file of Go from the selfie photo with a transparent background on November 13, 2017 allowing users to superimposed Bong Go on any image they please.^[8] Soon after the post, other people began sharing their take on the meme.

On the same day the .png file of Bong Go was posted on Reddit, a Facebook Page, named "Photo by SAP Bong Go" was created which is dedicated to the meme.^[9] The meme received attention from national media outlets such as Rappler^[10]. GMA News^[11], the Manila Times^[12], and the Philippine Daily Inquirer^[13]

GMA News credits the meme to a certain Paul Aguado, a resident of Cainta. He reportedly created the Facebook Page, "Photo by SAP Bong Go" and shared the customized photo frame of Go in Reddit. Aguado said he only became aware of Go when he saw the latter's ASEAN Summit selfies online and decided to create and share the photo frame for fun. He hasn't received negative reception from internet trolls or contacted by the government as of November 15, 2017.^[11]

When informed of the meme, Bong Go was surprised but added that he was "humbled" and said he was just "an extra" who doesn't deserve attention he was receiving.^[14]

External References

^[1] Philippine Daily Inquirer – A photobomber in Duterte campaign

^[2] Rappler – The man they call Bong Go

^[3] GMA News ‘Selfie king’ Bong Go scores epic pics with world leaders

^[4] Washington Post – Duterte’s assistant is a selfie king, and nailed his shot with Trump

^[5] Sydney Morning Herald – The photobomber offering a glimpse behind closed doors at ASEAN

^[6] GMA News – Duterte's top aide Bong Go has a world-class 'photobomber'

^[7] Philippines Subreddit – Duterte and Trump finally meet… (Photo by SAP Bong Go) '

^[8] Philippines Subreddit – Here's a transparent image of Bong Go you can use as an image filter. Enjoy! '

^[9] Facebook – Photo by SAP Bong Go

^[10] Rappler – 'Pambansang Photobomber' Bong Go becomes hilarious photo meme

^[11] GMA News – How would you like to have SAP Bong Go’s selfie in your Facebook profile photo?

^[12] The Manila Times – ‘Where did Bong Go,’ netizens ask as Facebook creates page for ‘selfie king’

^[13] Philippine Daily Inquirer – Latest FB photo filter features ‘Bong Go selfie, groufie’

^[14] Philippine Daily Inquirer – 'They insisted on taking selfies’ – Bong Go’