Obama to be served lobster kilawin, buko lychee sorbetes at state dinner - GMA News

Obama in Malacañang. President Benigno Aquino III and US President Barack Obama review the colors during welcome rites at Malacañang on Monday, April 28. Ryan Lim

(Updated 7:53 p.m.) US President Barack Obama will be getting a taste of the Philippines during a state dinner in his honor at Malacañang on Monday night.

According to the Palace, Obama will be served lobster kilawin carpaccio; baby sprouts and fiddle fern with kalamansi jam; seafood stew with river prawns, scallops and smoked mussels; and sweet banana in rich tomato and coriander sauce.

Also to be served are red dotted lapu-lapu with pili nut crust with pumpkin mash and local vegetables cooked in coconut milk as well as annatto and lemongrass-marinated US prime rib with pumpkin mash and Batangas-farmed vegetables.

For dessert, Obama will be served coconut lychee ice cream served with mango macapuno strudel.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the food served during Monday's state dinner represent the best of Filipino cuisine and is a "mirror reflector or showcase of our culture."

He said the Office of the President chose the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to cater the event.

While eating, the diners will also be treated to performances by The Philippine Madrigal Singers, Leo Valdez, Bituin Escalante, The Power Dance Company, Kuh Ledesma, apl.de.ap and the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company.

Adobo at the White House

During his toast at the state dinner, Obama mentioned that the White House chef, Cristeta Comerford, is Filipino, and that therefore he is familiar with the taste of lumpia and adobo.

Obama also praised Aquino's late mother, Corazon Aquino, and boxer Manny Pacquiao, whom he said many Americans root for even when he is fighting an American. — Kimberly Jane Tan/BM, GMA News

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