MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim concluded the first day of his two-day official visit to the Philippines with a dinner hosted by President Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Wednesday, during which he received a copy of Philippine hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere,” the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) said yesterday.
Yesterday, Anwar gave a lecture on strategic ASEAN takeaways at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, and received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the university for his exemplary academic scholarship, particularly on Rizal’s lifework, and his stand against corruption and for good governance.
Anwar, who arrived in the country on Wednesday, is the first head of state to visit the Philippines under the Marcos administration.
During the official dinner, the President was accompanied by First lady Louise “Lisa” Araneta-Marcos while the Prime Minister was with his wife Dr. Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail.
The dinner was held after an expanded meeting attended by the two leaders and their respective Cabinet men.
A video post from RTVM said Marcos gifted Anwar with a copy of the novel “Noli Me Tangere” (Tercera Edition, 1909) while Dr. Wan received a waling-waling brass card holder, a decorative ornament crafted by Cebuano artisans.
RTVM said the Malaysian Prime Minister, who considers Rizal as a “precursor to Asian renaissance,” expressed appreciation for the “very invaluable gift.”
During the official dinner, Marcos said he was “happy to see a friend, whom we have come to admire greatly.”
He also said he views the as a “rekindling of an old friendship and old bond that took millennia to make, between neighbors and ASEAN founding members, whose people have interacted and traded for centuries before they even knew the concept of countries.”
“More importantly, I view this visit as a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to revitalize our bilateral relations” Marcos added.
The President said as pillars of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia and the Philippines have the responsibility and the opportunity to strengthen their community and work towards regional peace and prosperity.
“Mr. Prime Minister, the Philippines and the Filipinos were there for you during some of your darkest days. Let me assure you now that this sincere and tested friendship has remained strong throughout the decades. I further express my hope that this warm kinship between us as leaders will set the tone of the bilateral relations between our governments, countries, and peoples, in the years to come,” he added.
