Obama’s PH dinner: Who’s performing? What’s on the menu?

MANILA, Philippines – Sure, he has had the “occasional treats of lumpia and adobo” – courtesy of the White House’s Filipino executive chef at the White House, Cristeta Comerford. United States President Barack Obama was, however, in for a different experience of Filipino cuisine on Monday night, April 28.

At the state dinner in Malacañang, Obama’s “gracious host,” President Benigno Aquino III, had him served the tangy lobster “carpaccio,” a twist to what Filipinos fondly know as kilawin; pochero; lapu-lapu encrusted with pili nuts, a Bicolano favorite, and garnished with vegetables cooked in coconut milk, a Southeast Asian staple. 

Even the beef dish – US prime rib, of course – got an Asian twist via a lemongrass marinade, complemented by Batangas-harvested vegetables. 

Dessert featured a combination well known and loved by Pinoys everywhere – coconut and lychee, in ice cream form. It came with a twist, though, via a mango macapuno strudel. 

Trademark Pinoy humor was also in the spotlight: a song about unity and togetherness (“Kaisa-isa Niyan”) was performed side-by-side with the classic ditty, “Da Coconut Nut” (incidentally, also on the menu). 

Traditional dance, set to Apl de. Ap’s performance of the Black Eyed Peas hit “I’ve Got a Feeling,” clearly showed off a seamless Pinoy integration of classic with pop.

Apl de. Ap, The Philippine Madrigal Singers, Leo Valdez, Bituin Escalante, Kuh Ledesma, the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, and the Powerdance Company had the honor of performing for Obama at the Palace dinner. – Rappler.com