Marcos wears barong, not suit in APEC photo

PHNOM PENH – President Marcos stood out at the traditional family photo of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here, sporting the country’s national attire barong Tagalog while the other leaders wore three-piece suits.

Marcos joined his counterparts at the opening ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and related meetings at the Sokha Hotel Friday morning.

The President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were received by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Hun Sen reportedly would be having special-edition watches made for US President Joe Biden and other leaders attending the ASEAN summit, which runs through the weekend.

On Thursday, Marcos attended a roundtable with Cambodian business leaders, where he invited them to invest in the Philippines.

He also met with Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, who granted a royal audience to the ASEAN leaders at the Royal Palace.

The President also had bilateral meetings with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Sokha Hotel and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace on Thursday.

Marcos and Chinh agreed to further strengthen their partnership in various areas, including defense, trade, investment, agriculture and maritime security.

On the other hand, Marcos and Hun Sen committed to expanding the extent of the two countries’ productive partnership over the last 65 years and exploring partnerships in a wide range of areas, including digitalization, health services, logistics and assisting small business.

The two leaders also agreed that patience is key to dealing with the deepening crisis in Myanmar.

Marcos likewise attended the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Youth on Thursday.

He is also set to hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah here this weekend.