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Power goes out for a few seconds at Duterte’s state banquet for Brunei Sultan


The state banquet hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte for Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Thursday had a slight mishap—a power interruption that lasted less than 20 seconds, to be exact.

Both lights and audio went out inside Rizal Hall after Duterte finished his salutations for his toast.

There were a few gasps among the assembled guests, but everyone remained calm and power was soon restored.

Once the lights came back, Duterte went on with his toast.

"Tonight is a most welcome and awaited reunion," the President continued.

GMA News Online is reaching out to Palace officials for an explanation.

 

 

In spite of the mishap, the Palace was determined to give Bolkiah and his delegation a great time.

For the banquet proper, the Brunei Sultan would get to taste slow-cooked guimaras lobster tail with avocado and pomelo salad, tekwan soup with light shrimp broth, and a duo of pan-seared mahi-mahi fillet with saffron sauce and braised beef blade with kaldereta sauce.

Dessert was coconut panna cotta with ube chocolate cream and Guimaras mango.

The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, and Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild were tapped to provide entertainment, along with models to showcase Renee Salud's Mindanao Tapestry Collection 2017. The creations were made from Yakan, T'nalak, Manobo, Pis Syabit, and Landap weaves.

Malacañan Palace was also adorned in yellow flowers, a nod to Brunei's color.

Helping Duterte welcome Bolkiah was his partner Cielito "Honeylet" Avanceña, who stunned in an emerald green terno.

 

 

Avanceña is the official hostess of the ASEAN leaders' spouses.

Cabinet officials such as Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon, Budget Sec. Benjamin Diokno, Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Ernesto Pernia, Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez, Tourism Sec. Wanda Teo, Communications Sec. Martin Andanar, and presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Other government officials who attended were Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año, Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa, Senate President Kiko Pimentel, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Alan Peter Cayetano, and Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Former Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay was also at the state banquet.

 

 

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa were also present at the event.

Businessmen Ramon S. Ang and Manny V. Pangilinan were also at the dinner in honor of Bolkiah. — BM, GMA News

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