President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has gifted Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim a copy of the classic Filipino novel "Noli Me Tangere" following their bilateral meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday, March 1.

In a video, the two newly elected Asian leaders exchanged gifts at the President's Hall following a tete-a-tete on Wednesday evening.

Marcos handed the 1909 Tercere Edition of Dr. Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" to the Malaysian Prime Minister.

According to Radio Television Malacañang, Anwar considers Rizal a "precursor to the Asian renaissance" and expressed appreciation for the President's gesture of giving a very invaluable gift.

Dr. Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail, the Prime Minister's spouse, received a Waling-Waling brass card holder – a decorative ornament that combines the beauty of the Waling-Waling with the durability and attractiveness of brass crafted by Cebuano artisans.

Offering a toast  during the official dinner hosted for the visiting Malaysian leader, President Marcos said he was heartened by Prime Minister Anwar's visit "not only because I am happy to see a friend, whom we have come to admire greatly."

"I view the Prime Minister's visit as a rekindling of an old friendship and old bond that took millennia to make, between neighbors and ASEAN founding members, whose people have interacted and traded for centuries before they even knew the concept of countries," he said.

"More importantly, I view this visit as a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to revitalize our bilateral relations," he added.

According to the President, there is immense potential in trade and investment.

As pillars of ASEAN, Marcos said they have the responsibility and the opportunity to strengthen their community and work towards regional peace and prosperity.