United States President Donald Trump leapt to his feet as he gave a standing ovation to the Filipino artists who performed on stage at the gala dinner of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.
After his bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, Trump told reporters that he enjoyed the gala dinner hosted by the Philippines.
“I thought last night’s event was fantastic, tremendous talent. Most of them I guess from the Philippines. But tremendous talent. Musical talent, dance talent and we really had a tremendous time, all of the leaders,” Trump was quoted as saying in a Philstar report.
In the video clip of RTVM, Trump can be seen enthusiastically applauding the artist even before the performance was over. Aside from Trump, of course, the proud Philippine President along with his partner Honeylet Avanceña, were also up on their feet to give a standing ovation to the Pinoy performers.
Trump was obviously overjoyed with the bone-chilling performances from singers Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela, Jonalyn Viray, David Ezra, Darren Espanto, Elha Nympha, Sam Shoaf and the jass group Baihana.
Aside from these performers was the Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, who sang the song “Ikaw.” Corrales was later joined by Duterte as they sang a duet “upon the orders” of the US President.
Trump, along with rest of the crowd, gave the Philippine President loud cheers and applause after his brief performance in the dinner.
In the US President’s opening remarks during the ASEAN-US Summit, Trump praised Duterte for his success as ASEAN chair this year. Trump expressed his gratitude to Duterte for his incredible hospitality and for the show happened that evening.