First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos hosted a luncheon in Malacañang on Aug. 3 for the resident lady ambassadors in the Philippines.
In a three-minute video shared by Malacañang on Friday, Aug. 5, the first lady was seen welcoming the guests, touring them inside the Palace, before she sat with them over a luncheon where they exchanged messages of mutual goodwill and support.
It was the first official event led by the first lady since her husband President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency.
"Thank you for supporting my husband's administration and I hope we get to do this more often...We'll go to each and every room (here in the Palace) next time," the First Lady said.
The attendees in the luncheon are Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson (United States of America), Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe (South Africa), Ambassador Betty Palaso (Papua New Guinea), Ambassador Bita Rasoulian (Austria), Ambassador Shobini Kaushala Gunasekera (Sri Lanka), Ambassador Folakemi Ibidunni Akinleye (Nigeria), Ambassador Annika Gunilla Thunborg (Sweden), Ambassador Grete Sillasen (Denmark), Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel (Germany), Ambassador Michèle Jeannine Andrèe Boccoz (France), Charge D’ Affaires Monica Theodora Geertruida van Daalen (Netherlands) and Charge D’ Affaires Lhuana Pamella Lopez Amorim (Panama).
During the event, Carlson spoke on behalf of the guests and thanked the First Lady for hosting the luncheon and their visit to the Palace.
"Madeleine Albright said some time that 'there's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women' and I really appreciate the atmosphere here of women supporting other women in important roles. That's why we are so honored to be here for your first official engagement here, supporting you as a very important woman in this country and frankly, in this region...It's a very challenging position to take up so we are really grateful for the opportunity to be here and the opportunity to support each other," the American ambassador said.
To entertain the diplomats, the Simeona F. Chanyungco Lahing Kayumanggi Mananayaw ng Marikina Inc. showcased the beauty of the Filipino culture through a dance performance.