Television host Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla took to Instagram to share her experience during the private dinner with President Rodrigo Duterte which was held in Malacanang on May 7.
Mariel was invited together with her husband actor Robin Padilla who is a known supporter of the current administration.
The dinner was organized by the president’s common-law partner Honeylet Avanceña to thank the celebrities and personalities who continue to support Duterte.
Through an Instagram post, Mariel tagged said event as a “memorable evening” for her as it was the first time that a president invited her to the palace.
“PRRD [Duterte’s initials] is not the first President that I campaigned for but he is the first President to invite me to the palace.
“The room was filled with celebrities who supported him both silently and openly.
“When the President arrived, he sat down and immediately said ‘mag tatlong taon na akong presidente ngayon lang ako makapagpasalamat sa inyo.’
“Madam Honeylet flew in from Davao just to be at the thanksgiving dinner and she flies back to Davao the next day, during her introduction speech she mentioned that they are not really fond of hosting parties… so I knew it was a special night!” she shared in the caption.
Mariel added that Duterte made sure that the occasion was special by changing the menu from the usual food that is served at the palace.
“On the menu was salad, mushroom soup, fillet mignon, and strawberry cheesecake. The menu was a special request made by the President himself ‘sabi ko ibahin naman ang pagkain.
“Kasi ang pagkain talaga dito isang ulam, kanin at sabaw. Sabi ko gawin espesyal,” Mariel wrote quoting Duterte.
Mariel went on to share her favorite moment of the night.
“My favorite moment of the evening that made me admire our President even more… the fillet mignon was wrapped in bacon so in advanced the kitchen staff prepared fish for Robin and I.
“When our fish arrived senatorial candidate Freddie Aguilar and his wife, Jovie, wanted fish as well because they are Muslims too.
“Robin being the gentleman that he is gave his fish to Jovie so she could eat ahead.
“The whole table was prompted to eat all except for Robin, Ka Freddie, and PRRD.
“He said, ‘Sige, kumain na kayo hintayin ko si Robin’ and he really waited for Robin’s food to arrive.
“I know maliit na bagay but ‘di ba it’s the little things that matter.
“Super nakakatuwa at nakaka touched talaga.
“Yung loyalty ni Robin kay President ay hindi sayang because it is reciprocated with kindness,” Mariel said.
She ended her post by saying that she almost was not allowed to enter the venue because she was wearing a sleeveless dress, which was against the palace’s dress code.
Good thing that she had a blazer inside her car that she wore over her dress to cover her arms.
Aside from Mariel and Robin, other celebrities in the dinner include John Lloyd Cruz, Ruffa Gutierrez, Aiko Melendez, Alex Gonzaga, Phillip Salvador, Ice Seguerra, Vhong Navarro, Ryan Bang, Rodjun Cruz, Ynez Veneracion, Jimmy Bondoc, Luke Mejares, Arnell Ignacio, Vivian Velez, Chad Borja, Liza Diño, Richard Gomez, Annabelle Rama, Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano, Bayani Agbayani, Joseph Marco, Dulce, Gretchen Ho, and Ai-Ai delas Alas.
