The whole world is paying close attention to the United States as the country gears up for their national elections on Nov. 8. Before President Barack Obama turns over the gargantuan responsibility of leading one of the world’s most powerful nations, take a look back at his brief, yet memorable, state visit in April 2014.
By JOANNE RAE RAMIREZ Â
It was a triumph of the best of the Filipino, and a reaffirmation of our stature on the world stage.
Like it or not, US President Barack Obama is not just a visiting head of state, he is the leader of the world’s only remaining superpower, and the acknowledged leader of the free world. Whatever our biases against the Americans are, founded or not, we seek their support and stamp of approval in many things — a Good Housekeeping stamp of approval, if you will, on security, stability and importance in the global scheme of things.
(President Aquino welcomes President Obama to Malacañang for the state dinner)
Obama came, saw and slept over. It was a check mark on the safety of our shores. He spent the night at the Imperial Suite of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, which has a dazzling view of Manila Bay and might have reminded him of his childhood in Hawaii.
Before he called it a day Monday night, he was fêted to a state dinner at the Malacañan Palace by President Aquino. The dinner showcased the hospitality and creativity that define Filipinos the world over, whether they are welcoming you to a home along the railroad tracks or to a manor in Forbes Park.
“You are going to see a Malacañang like you’ve never seen it before,†Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras told me just before dinner, when dusk was slowly descending on the lush Palace lawn.
Some 350 guests, who were asked to come 90 minutes before the 7 p.m. dinner, were ushered to the Premier Guest House upon their arrival, where sumptuous cocktails prepared by Cibo awaited them. Pomelo and guava bellinis were passed around while guests, from taipans to titans, the glitterati and the culturati, mingled.
The Palace lawn between the Guest House and the Main Palace looked like a European park with its fountains, giant trees and verdant shrubs. Multi-colored lights bathed the gardens, the focal point of which was the fountain.
On one side of the lawn, brightly garbed folk dancers did their Ati-Atihan numbers, an interactive tableau of Philippine culture. The sweet and delicate scent of sampaguitas, meanwhile, wafted across the lawn, and as one entered the foyer of the Palace, one was greeted by sampaguita leis wound around pillars and balusters, and fashioned into drapes.
Inside the halls of power
When President Obama entered the Rizal Hall with his beaming host President Aquino, he was given rousing applause. I took a chance and called out “President Obama†from outside the cordon of the press pool, where I positioned myself, and he turned towards me as I held out my right hand. I almost fainted with his wide smile, but then his Filipino security aide blocked my hand.
But I persisted and whaddayaknow, President Obama turned back slightly and shook my proffered hand. I swear! (I’m sure the Palace CCTVs have it!)
At the Rizal Hall, from whose domed ceilings hang chandeliers handmade by Paete woodcarvers, a Filipino barrio fiesta awaited the state visitor. The main backdrop was a mock-up bahay kubo, and each table had a centerpiece that was a veritable feast of Filipino fruits and vegetables — from ampalaya, talong, sili, tomatoes, sugarcane, green mangoes.
My favorite part of the dinner, catered by Makati Shangri-La, Manila was the dessert — coconut lychee ice cream served with mango macapuno strudel. The twist came in the serving bowl — it looked like a coconut shell, but it was actually made of dark chocolate!
(President Obama signs the Presidential guestbook as President Aquino looks on)
Songs from a nation
The cultural show was fabulous, a fusion of folk and pop. It started with The Madrigal Singers, followed by Leo Valdez and Bituin Escalante with the Powerdance Company.
Then with perfect timing, Kuh Ledesma entered the hall singing the first lines of President Obama’s favorite song, “Let’s Stay Together,†which he has sung in public. Kuh’s rendition was exquisite, sexy and waxy.
Then Filipino-American Apl.de.Ap was a storm surge with his “I Gotta Feeling,†intertwined by a rendition of singkil by the Bayanihan Dance Company and the Powerdance Company. It was Pinoy cultural fusion at its best, fluid and unique.
Then, as a tribute to their American visitor, Apl, Kuh, Leo, Bituin, The Madrigals, Powerdance and Bayanihan performed “Happy,†the No. 1 song in the US as of press time, from the hit movie Despicable Me 2. The singers were accompanied by the AMP Big Band led by Mel Villena.
The evening ended on an informal note when three Cabinet members — Almendras, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Public Works and Highways Secretary Babes Singson — sang “What’s Going On,†another of the US President’s favorite songs.
Obama was singing in his seat, swaying to the rhythm of the song and moving his head up and down. He almost took the mike, but handed it instead to National Security Adviser Susan Rice, who was also singing along.
A top Palace official told us that they were informed that as far as the US President and his delegation were concerned, “It was the best state dinner they’ve ever attended.â€
(Photos by MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU, MICHELLE SAGUIDO and JOANNE RAE RAMIREZ)Â
