GMA relishes durian at Duterte’s watering hole

DAVAO CITY – It was a night of wine, durian and song for President Arroyo and some of her Cabinet members last Wednesday at the After Dark Resto Bar along Quimpo Boulevard, favorite hangout of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The presidential party spent three hours unwinding at the piano bar after a hard day’s work doing the round of different sorties since Mrs. Arroyo arrived here Wednesday morning.

When the President got back to the Marco Polo Hotel where she was billeted, it was almost midnight. "It’s only quarter to 12," she said.

It was Mayor Duterte who invited Mrs. Arroyo and her Cabinet members to After Dark after dinner at the Lotus Court of the Marco Polo.

The President, even if she was in a very light mood, reportedly did not sing at the piano bar although she was said to have enjoyed listening to Duterte and some of her Cabinet belt out songs ranging from golden oldies to more recent hits.

"Halo-halo ang kanta. Everybody sang except her," presidential assistant on the peace process Teresita Deles said.

Deles along with Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and presidential assistant on flagship projects Marietta Jimenez rendered their usual trio, a la the Motown group Supremes of the 1970s.

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon also did his own number as well as Environment Secretary Eliza Gozun, Housing Secretary Michael Defensor and Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan.

And although food was aplenty and wine flowed freely at After Dark, durian was easily the standout. The President partook of the native malagkit variety washed down with hot tea, one of her aides told The STAR.

In a visit to Davao City on June 1, 2002, Mrs. Arroyo also went to After Dark upon Duterte’s invitation although the mayor declined her request for a ride on his Harley Davidson to get to After Dark.

The first visit to the piano bar was a security nightmare for the Presidential Security Group (PSG) as it was not in her itinerary for the day.

Security for Wednesday evening’s presidential night out was, however, meticulously considered with all areas covered, including PSG members inspecting the area earlier in the day.

The STAR also learned from Estrella Sepe, owner of one of the fruit stalls at the Magsaysay Park, that the President was supposed to eat durian at her place.

"We were told the President would come here but plans changed and some people instead just got the durian that was reserved for her party," said Sepe, adding that about a dozen PSG personnel had been checking on her stall earlier.

She said at least 40 pieces of durian worth about P4,800 were bought by the presidential group and PSG men.