Davao-themed morning was planned for a private meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held in the residence of the President in Davao City on Friday morning, January 13.

Served for breakfast were heart of banana salad; monggo soup; fresh fruits like mango, pomelo, and rambutan; and native rice cakes, such as biko, suman, kutsinta, and puto. Choices for drinks included earl grey black tea, coffee, and coconut juice.

After breakfast, President Duterte and PM Abe proceeded to Waterfront Insular Hotel to meet Japanese and Filipino businessmen, followed by an eagle-naming ceremony.

A Philippine eagle was named “Sakura” or cherry blossom, which served as a symbol of the growing friendship and partnership of Philippines and Japan. Davao is home to Philippine eagles.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Abe was treated with Japanese-inspired Filipino dishes, prepared using ingredients native to Davao, during a luncheon.

Prepared by chefs Nobuyki Imamura, Giovanni Sias, and Victor Barangan, the food choices served included imbao soup with coco cream, wakame, pomelo and fern salad with avocado aioli, squid ink biscuit and cream cheese in almonds for starters.

Mangosteen glazed tuna belly with corn grits for the main course; and durian pannacota, biko turon, and civet coffee jello for desserts.

On top of these, there were a fruit buffet offered at the gazebo and the 61-kg class-A tuna for sashimi, showcasing abundance in Davao and Mindanao.

PM Abe ate durian, pineapple, watermelon, marang, and mangosteen, while his wife Akie had pineapple.

On the other hand, President Rodrigo Duterte had durian and marang; and his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña had durian.

“Durian is usually eaten using our hands,” President Duterte said to PM Abe, who 
showed appreciation for the durian.

But before lunch was served, the President gave a barong, the Philippine national dress, to PM Abe as present.

During the luncheon, the Japanese guests were entertained by the performances of students from F. Bustamante Central Elementary School, showcasing dances that reflect various cultures and the festive mood of the Kadayawan Festival.####Maro-Content