First Time in Cebu, President Prabowo Warmly Welcomed by Indonesian Diaspora
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by the Indonesian diaspora in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday.
An official statement from the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Thursday stated that President Prabowo will attend the series of the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines on 7-8 May 2026.
Upon arriving at the hotel where he is staying, President Prabowo was immediately greeted by two Indonesian children wearing traditional attire, standing neatly and presenting flowers to the Head of State.
Inside the hotel, several ministers from the Merah Putih Cabinet, who had arrived in Cebu earlier, joined in welcoming the President’s arrival. Not only government officials, but the Indonesian diaspora living in Cebu also appeared enthusiastic in directly welcoming President Prabowo.
Some of them even had the opportunity to shake hands and have brief conversations with President Prabowo.
According to Ronald, the President appeared warm and close to Indonesians abroad.
“Glad to meet you, Sir, very friendly, he asked where from? Name?” said Ronald.
Ronald said he was proud to see President Prabowo using the domestically produced Maung vehicle during the foreign visit.
Lili Yahya, an Indonesian citizen who has lived in Cebu for a long time, expressed similar sentiments.
“Certainly proud, touched, and we are delighted by the arrival of Mr. President. Because this is the first time, a visit from Mr. President to Cebu, Philippines,” said Lili.
According to her, President Prabowo showed a warm and open attitude towards the Indonesian diaspora.
Lili hopes that the ASEAN meeting attended by President Prabowo will bring positive impacts to Indonesia-Philippines relations and pay more attention to the Indonesian diaspora in Cebu.
Meanwhile, Father Agus Sudaryanto, who has served as a pastor in Cebu for 15 years, said the moment was a memorable experience for him.
“I believe that the presence of Mr. President among us Indonesians in Cebu creates a new movement, that our President is worldly and especially in our neighbour, in the Philippines, where we live,” said Father Agus.