Headlines

Duterte, Abe share light moments during toast

October 31, 2017 | 10:20am

Duterte, Abe share light moments during toast

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, second from left, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to his national flag as they review a guard of honor at Abe's official residence in Tokyo Monday, Oct. 30, 2017. Duterte is on a two-day visit to Japan. Nicolas Datiche/Pool Photo via AP

TOKYO — He promised to control his mouth during his official visit here but that did not prevent President Rodrigo Duterte from displaying his sense of humor.

During a dinner hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last Monday, Duterte, who is fond of lengthy, freewheeling speeches, said he would skip parts of his statement because he was hungry.

“I will skip two pages of my prepared speech and go to the last page because I am hungry,” the president said, drawing laughs from his audience.

“Suffice it to say that this frequency of interaction is friendship that goes beyond official lines,” the president said.

Duterte’s wisecrack was a direct opposite of his usual introductions. The Philippine leader would usually begin by telling his audience that he has a two-page speech that he would set aside because he is not fond of prepared remarks.

Before proposing a toast, Duterte said he would replace his speechwriter, whom he described as a “book author.”

“I am going to change my writer. He is a book author not a speechwriter,” the Philippine leader said.

But Abe also tried to break the ice that evening by recalling his visit to Davao City last January.

“Literally, we have been like family in deepening our close ties over time and I am very pleased with such warm relationship. I was truly impressed by the rousing welcome extended to me and my wife and my delegation,” the Japanese leader said.

READ: Shinzo Abe tours Duterte's Davao home

Abe said the online video of his visit in Davao was viewed by a record 1.3 million internet users but a huge majority of them were Filipinos.

“The video clip featuring my stay in Davao City we put on the Prime Minister’s Facebook account page actually marked over 100—1.3 million access counts, the greatest ever,” Abe said.

“I had to confess that 90 percent of those who actually saw this web page were actually all of the Filipino people across the globe, so only the 10 percent account for those of us in Japanese,” he added.

“So I would like to encourage Japanese to pay more attention to my Facebook account.”

But Abe is convinced that the 1.3 million online views were a “testament to the deep, warm, family-like and brotherly relationship between Japan and the Philippines.”

“So here is a message from me to those distinguished guests: I owe you so much and your dedication is what made possible for us to enjoy today’s wonderful ties between Japan and the Philippines,” the Japanese Prime Minister said.

“And taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and ask for your continuous support as we further develop this special relationship,” he added.

READ: Japan pledges over $1B loan to Philippines to fund key infra projects

Duterte said the relationship between the Philippines and Japan is “a friendship that is held dearly and valued so much more than words can describe.”

“I will strive to keep that friendship, amity and cooperation between us, our nations and our peoples going from strength to further strength,” the Philippine leader said.

The two leaders and their officials feasted on Abalone, scallop, yam and shiitake mushroom marinated with pickled bonito sauce, simmered matsutake mushroom and chrysanthemum, steamed monkfish liver and radish, stewed sweetfish, suck and gourd King Salmon sushi, and sweet simmered chestnut.

Also served during the dinner were egg and fish cakes, chicken ball kelp grouper, Japanese chervil with sudachi citrus, sashimi, sea bream tuna and yellow tail, Matsusakaushi sirloin steak with vegetables, assorted tempura and sushi, pickles, miso soup and fresh Japanese fruits.

'Golden age of partnership'

After his bilateral meeting with Abe also last Monday, Duterte said the Philippines and Japan are entering a “golden age” of strategic partnership.

“Our commitment and resolve show the desire to further expand cooperative ties. I dare say that, considering what we have accomplished and achieved, the Philippines and Japan are building a golden age (for) our strategic partnership,” Duterte said.

“It’s a commitment founded on the democratic values we hold dear. It’s a resolve that has withstood the test of time. Working together, we should have much to show and to be proud of in the years to come,” he added.

READ: Philippines, Japan entering 'golden age of partnership'

Duterte is here for a two-day official visit that seeks to boost the ties between the Philippines and Japan. His visit came days after Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party won an overwhelming victory during the snap elections.

It was his second visit to Japan, which colonized the Philippines for three years during World War.

Duterte first visited the East Asian country last year.

“As strategic partners, cooperation between the Philippines and Japan is expansive and multi-dimensional. Both sides recognized today that there is still ample room for even more significant growth in all areas of mutual concern,” the Philippine president said.