MANILA, Philippines April 28 (ENS) — United States President Barack Obama thanked Filipinos for their hospitality in a state dinner in Malacanang Monday night.
Obama arrived at around 7:30 p.m. after a brief rest at his hotel. He was led by President Benigno Aquino III to the state dinner room.
In a speech before the state dinner, the 44th U.S. President noted that he has had a taste of Philippine adobo back in the White House since his executive chef is a Filipina — Cristeta Pasia Comerford. Comerford, who was born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila, is the White House Executive Chef since 2005.
President Aquino first proposed a toast to President Obama who is on his first ever state visit to the country.
US President Obama likewise proposed a toast to President Aquino, thanking him and the Filipino people for their hospitality.
He is to be served with the best of Philippine cuisine at the state dinner which is attended by top Philippine and US officials, as well as various foreign dignitaries.
Former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who is now Manila mayor, also attended the state dinner.
The US President will be served the following:
- Lobster kilawin carpaccio, baby sprouts and fiddle fern with kalamansi jam (Kilawing ulang, pako at sarisaring talbos na may halayang kalamansi)
- Seafood stew with river prawns, scallops and smoked mussels, sweet banana in rich tomato and coriander sauce (Pocherong lamang dagat na may suahe, scallops at tinapang tahong)
- Red-dotted lapu-lapu with pili nut crust, pumpkin mash and local vegetables cooked in coconut milk (Lapu-lapu na may pili nut crust, nilupak na kalabasa at guinataang gulay)
- Annato lemongrass marinated in US prime rib, pumpkin mash and Batangas farmed vegetables (US prime rib inasal, nilupak na kalabasa at samu’t saring gulay mula sa Batangas)
- Coconut lychee ice cream served with mango macapuno strudel (Buko lychee sorbetes na may mangga’t macapunong napoleones)
- Coffee or tea
(Eagle News Service)