Bong Go 'surprised, flattered' that selfies went viral
Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go dubbed as the “national photobomber” for being always behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s photos, kept his tradition of taking selfies with world leaders at the ASEAN summit. Christopher Bong Go, Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Special Assistant to President Christopher "Bong" Go’s selfies at the recently concluded Association of the South East Asian Nations Summit became viral.
Go, dubbed as the “national photobomber” for being always behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s photos, kept his tradition of taking selfies with world leaders at the summit. Some leaders even took the initiative to take a selfie with him.
Go’s photos got the attention of netizens and Facebook started featuring a profile picture frame that has his famed selfie image. The creator of the frame generator is still unknown.
Asked about his reaction regarding the selfie frame generator, Go told PhilStar.com that he was just an “extra” in the viral photos so he cannot comment.
Go however said he was “pleasantly surprised and flattered” when he was informed that his selfies with world leaders during the summit caught social media attention.
“I didn't expect my taking selfies with them would create such a reaction. I am just an ordinary employee of the government,” Go said.
“I took selfies with world leaders because I admire them and only as remembrance of that once in a lifetime opportunity,” he added.
Netizens started using the frame as their own profile pictures. Others poked fun at the generator and created hilarious memes out of it.
these bong go edits (credits to reddit) pic.twitter.com/c42U3lcW3w
— ALLY want for christmas is you (@elandole) November 14, 2017
Go was also hailed as “Selfie king” for his photos with leaders during the president’s state visits in other countries, including the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Vietnam.
Among the world leaders Go had a selfie with during the ASEAN summit in Manila are US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, among others. He also took a selfie with former president Fidel Ramos.
Aside from Go, other government officials also took selfies with leaders during the ASEAN’s 50th anniversary gala dinner and the related activities for the summit. Among these officials were Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, PCOO Undersecretary Mocha Uson, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and Trade and Industry chief Ramon Lopez, among others.
