Gala night showcasing best of Filipino hospitality to welcome ASEAN delegations

World leaders and their spouses are set to experience the best of Filipino artistry and talent during the Special Gala Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday.

The Gala, which culminated the annual ASEAN Summits in the past, will be moved up this year to the night before the Summit commences.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said President Duterte will host the event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Sunday.

One of the two objectives of the Gala is to celebrate the Summit with ASEAN and dialogue partner leaders, their spouses, and their delegations, with “a special brand of Filipino hospitality” befitting the world leaders.

It will showcase the “best of Filipino artistry and talent” through an evening of Philippine music, dance, design, and culinary arts.

The Philippines is the host country of this year’s ASEAN Summit. The Philippines last chaired the ASEAN in 2007 and will be host again on 2027.

The leaders and delegates will be greeted by five of the worldrenowned giant lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga, as they each step out of their vehicles.

They will also see the twinkling of multi-colored lights, symbolizing the variety of the ASEAN peoples which “provide a beacon of hope” when put together.

The program for the Gala will begin with a welcome message and toast from President Duterte. The guests will then be served plated dinner prepared by Chef Jessie Sincioco and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

Sincioco, a renowned chef who owns three restaurants in Manila, was also the one who prepared the meals of Pope Francis during his Philippine visit in 2015.

The guests will be treated to a four-course Filipino-Asian fusion menu, a collaboration between Sincioco and Sofitel.