Obama will eat Filipino seafood for dinner – report

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about the deadly tornadoes that tore through several states before making a statement during a joint news conference with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at Malacanang Palace in Manila, the Philippines, Monday, April 28, 2014. AP

MANILA, Philippines – On his first state visit to the Philippines, US President Barack Obama will have a taste of Filipino seafood for dinner, a radio report said.

The report, quoting the executive cook of the Makati Shangri-La which will host the state dinner later, said one of the main dishes is lobster from Guimaras island, which the chef claimed is among the “best lobster in the country.”

“I was in Guimaras, they tell me that our lobster is best in the island, one of the best lobsters in the country,” Shangri-La executive chef Gene Del Prado said in the report.

The hotel will also serve Obama “lapu-lapu” (Grouper fish) spiced with “pili nuts,” the report said.

Obama will also be served “pochero,” a type of meat stew, this time using shell fish, it added.

For dessert, meanwhile, the US president will be served Guimaras mango and buko lychee ice cream for dessert.

Obama is in the country for the last leg of his Asian tour, part of the US bid to rebalance its forces in the region amid China’s increasing political and military might.

The US president started his state visit just hours after the signing of an agreement between the country and US allowing an increased presence of American troops in the former US colony.

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