According to Marcos gifts Malaysian PM Anwar ‘Noli Me Tangere’ novel | Global News (inquirer.net), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. handed Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim a copy of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal's book "Noli Me Tangere" as a gift for the Malaysian leader's visit to the Philippines.
Following their bilateral encounter at the Palace on Wednesday, Marcos and Anwar reportedly had a private conversation and exchanged gifts. Noli Me Tangere (Tercera Edition, 1909), one of Dr. Jose Rizal's best literary masterpieces, is presented by the President to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to a post from Radio Television Malacaang on Thursday.
According to the Prime Minister of Malaysia’s statement that he views Dr. Jose Rizal as a "precursor to the Asian Renaissance" and expressed his gratitude to the President for his gesture in presenting such a priceless gift.
The Prime Minister's spouse, Dr. Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail, received a Waling-Waling brass card holder, the RTVM said. According to the RTVM, this beautiful item was made by Cebuano artists and combines the beauty of the Waling-Waling with the strength and allure of brass.
On a two-day official visit, Prime Minister Anwar and the Malaysian entourage are in the Philippines.
Anwar is scheduled to meet with members of the Malaysian community in Manila while in the Philippines and present a talk about the decades following the Asian Renaissance at the University of the Philippines.
On Wednesday, Marcos invited him to the Malacaan Palace where they had a bilateral meeting and reaffirmed their countries' commitment to advancing relations.
After Marcos took office, Anwar is the first head of state to travel to the Philippines.
