MANILA, Philippines – The gala dinner, a fitting end to President Rodrigo Duterte’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit held in Manila, almost proceeded without the host.
President Rodrigo Duterte nearly skipped the event, if not for the prodding of officials around him.
“Let them start. I like talking more than eating,” he had said in jest addressing reporters who attended his press briefing, which was held prior to the dinner.
One of his officials approached him on stage, apparently reminding him about the waiting guests.
“Maybe somebody needs to eat now … Let me talk about this in the next briefing,” he decided to cut himself short.
Only four reporters were allowed to ask questions due to the time constraint. The gala dinner for the state leaders and their spouses was originally scheduled at 7:30 p.m., but was moved to 8:45 p.m.
Before leaving the stage to go to the dinner, Duterte called the women in the crowd who want to have a picture with him.
Upon arriving at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, where the dinner was to be held, Duterte together, with his common-law wife, Cielieto “Honeylet” Avanceña, welcomed each of the state leaders and gathered them together before entering the Grand Ballroom.
The gala dinner’s theme was “ASEAN Fiesta,” showcasing the innate warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people.
Some of Duterte’ Cabinet Secretaries were part of the welcoming party, such as Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, and Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez
All throughout the event, the upbeat sounds of Filipino Rondalla music played in the background.
Unfortunately, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Myanmar Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi missed the gala dinner.
Before his toast, Duterte managed to quip one more time as he was about to give his speech.
“I do not mean to be discourteous but I think this would be the eighth speech that I delivered today. And I’m trying to save my mouth because I may not be able to chew my food,” he remarked.
And in his speech, the president said he considered the gala dinner a family gathering, as he considered everyone not just as neighbors but as brothers and sisters.
“In the Philippines, as in any other ASEAN country family reunions are always a joyous occasion for fellowship and hospitality,” he said.
Raising his glass, Duterte concluded: “To the unity, solidarity, and continued success of ASEAN, to peace and stability in the region and continued growth of our economies, to the enduring friendship between our nations and to the positive change in the lives of the people, mabuhay!”
