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| Presidential Advisor on The Peace Process Jesus Dureza (Second from Left) and Ambassador J Eduardo Malaya (Second From Right) Join Concert Organisers Marcus Francis and Datuk George Gerald AND Davao Born Filipina Singer Kris Patt at Testimonial Concert to Celebrate The Presidency of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. They all flash the iconic "Duterte Sign" |
15 August 2016—The Hard Rock Café in Kuala Lumpur came to life Sunday afternoon, 14 August with an unusual crowd when some 250 Malaysians and Filipinos came together for a testimonial concert to celebrate the presidency of Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The event was organized by Melody United head Marcus Francis and Datuk George Gerald, both Malaysians, to celebrate the Duterte presidency.
“There are hardcore supporters and admirers of President Duterte here in Malaysia, and we would like to collectively convey our support to and solidarity with the President,” Mr. Francis said in his welcome remarks. The event featured musical performances by Melody United artist and Davao-born singer Kris Patt.
Present during the event were Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya, Philippine Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Secretary for Interior and Local Government Ismael Sueño and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. The latter three officials were in Kuala Lumpur for the Launching of the Implementing Panel for the Bangsamoro agreements.
In his speech, Ambassador Malaya expressed appreciation and gratitude to the organizers. and said that “the enthusiasm of the attendees indicate that the priorities and programs of President Duterte resonate not only among Filipinos but also among Malaysians and other nationals. No Philippine leader has energized and electrified Filipinos and foreigners alike since Ramon Magsaysay in the 1950s, and we are fortunate to have a transformational leader now in the person of Rodrigo Duterte,” he said.
The Filipinos in Malaysia voted overwhelmingly pro-Duterte in the May 9 elections. The then candidate Duterte gathered 2,275 votes out of the 3,055 cast, or 74.46 percent.
For his part, Secretary Dureza thanked the organizers and attendees for their enthusiastic support to the Duterte Administration, and received on the President’s behalf, a two-foot replica of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Towers as a token for the President.
Born Mary Cris Pateno Faustino, Davao-born Kris Patt went to Malaysia and sang in local hotels and lounges until she was discovered by Melody United and signed up as one of its artists. She recently released a Malay single entitled “Berhenti Menantimu,” created by Malaysian composer Tom Spider and Indonesian lyricist Yuka Kharisma, an example of tri-country ASEAN collaboration.
She sang some of President Duterte’s favorite songs, and later switched to dance music which brought the guests to the dance floor. END
Embassy of The Philippines
