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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM, First Lady Liza attend APEC Gala Dinner

PBBM, First Lady Liza attend APEC Gala Dinner

Published Nov 1, 2025 05:58 am  |  Updated Nov 1, 2025 01:18 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attend the APEC Gala Dinner at the Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 31, 2025. Singer-actor Cha Eun Woo served as the event's emcee. The event also featured K-pop performances, including one from BIGBANG's G-Dragon, who is the summit's honorary ambassador. (APEC 2025 KOREA/Yonhap News)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attend the APEC Gala Dinner at the Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 31, 2025. Singer-actor Cha Eun Woo served as the event's emcee. The event also featured K-pop performances, including one from BIGBANG's G-Dragon, who is the summit's honorary ambassador. (APEC 2025 KOREA/Yonhap News)
BUSAN, South Korea — President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined the 20 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders and their spouses in a gala dinner at the Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju on Friday evening, Oct. 31.
Hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the banquet gathered around 400 guests, including other visiting heads of state and their spouses, representatives of international organizations, and global business leaders.
The event featured various K-pop performances, including a special performance by BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, who is an honorary ambassador of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
The leaders also witnessed a performance of songs from the hit Netflix animated Korean movie “K-pop Demon Hunters.”
Singer-actor Cha Eun Woo from the K-pop group Astro served as the event’s emcee despite currently serving his mandatory military duty after the summit preparation committee reportedly requested South Korea’s defense ministry's permission for his appearance.
Cha, who entered boot camp in July, is carrying out his service in a military band under the ministry. He currently holds the rank of Army private first class.

In his speech during the dinner, President Lee expressed hope for shared peace and prosperity across the region.
“Gyeongju is a city where tradition and modern industry coexist, from royal crowns and the Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory to steelmaking and shipbuilding,” he said in his toast.
“Its spirit of harmony embodies APEC's vision of shared prosperity through respect for diverse cultures,” he added.
Lee introduced the legend of Manpasikjeok, a mythical bamboo flute said to calm turmoil and bring peace, and expressed confidence that its “beautiful harmony will resonate across the region, bringing peace, stability, and prosperity.”
Proposing a toast “to APEC's cooperation, success and our shared future,” Lee raised a glass of Tiger Yuzu Makgeolli, a Korean traditional raw rice wine flavored with citron.
The dinner menu featured dishes made with local ingredients, including bibimbap and braised short ribs, along with Western-style desserts. The menu was designed by celebrity chef Edward Lee.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos APEC 2025 Cha Eun-woo G-Dragon
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