Jokowi couldn't wait to try 'sobrang masarap' Davao durian

Indonesian President Joko Widodo delighted guests at the state banquet organized in his honor when he inserted a few Filipino phrases in his toast.

He started his speech by greeting President Rodrigo Duterte and his common-law wife Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, and the rest of the guests “magandang gabi.”

“President Duterte, my delegation and I are extremely happy to be here. Thank you from the bottom of our heart for the warm and graceful welcome you and your government have extended to us,” he said.

“Our peoples have long been good friends. We share our love for rich fruits and for television drama,” he added.

Jokowi said he is looking forward to visiting Davao City on Sunday for the roll-on, roll-off (RORO) connection between Davao and General Santos cities and Bitung in North Sulawesi.

“I am excited that we will be visiting Davao tomorrow or the day after. I was told that Davao is very famous for its delicious fruit like Davao durian. Sobrang masarap,” he said as the crowd cheered.

Jokowi also pointed out that his similarities with Duterte.

“We were both mayors of medium-sized city,” he said as the guests applauded.

“I believe that you and I are not fancy people. I believe that you and I are driven by a healthy common sense and by our love for our people,” he added.

For his part, Duterte in his toast said that the Philippines considers Indonesia as a family.

“Excellency, you will agree that our shared historic experiences, the Philippines and Indonesia rightly treat each other as brothers,” he said.

State banquet

Duterte and Jokowi entered the Rizal Hall with their respective partners, Avanceña and Indonesia’s First Lady Iriana Jokowi.

Both Duterte and Jokowi both wore barong Tagalog for the event. Avanceña donned a purple terno, while Iriana wore a pink kebaya.

Those who were invited to the banquet included United States Ambassador Sung Kim, British Ambassador Asif Ahmad, business tycoon Ramon S. Ang, and Philippine Chamber and Commerce Industry (PCCI) president George Barcelon.

Cabinet officials who attended the event were Executive Sec. Salvador Medialdea, Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez, Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade, Public Works and Highways Sec. Manny Villar, Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol, Agrarian Reform Sec. Rafael Mariano, Communications Sec. Martin Andanar, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, and presidential lawyer Sec. Salvador Panelo.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa also graced the event.

Guests enjoyed smoked salmon roses with horseradish, cream of potato-zucchini soup, seabass fillet grilled set on paella rice cake, and sansrival mocha cake.

They were entertained by violinist Jay Cayuca and Filipino rocker Jett Pangan, the Ballet Philippines, and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. —JST, GMA News