Duterte sings at Asean gala dinner upon request of Trump

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte sang at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) gala dinner on Sunday evening, granting the request of United States President Donald Trump.

Duterte hosted Trump and other leaders for a flashy dinner at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, ahead of the official start of the 31st Asean summit. However, at some point into the banquet, Duterte, seated next to Trump in his formal Philippines long-sleeved white shirt, suddenly stood up and startled his guests with a vocal performance.

WATCH: Philippine leader Duterte sings love song for Trump: 'You are the light' pic.twitter.com/YLEb4tue7E

— euronews (@euronews) November 13, 2017

A Twitter post of Philippines' Public Works and Highways Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Priority Projects, Karen Jimeno, showed Duterte singing “Ikaw” with singer Pilita Corales.

One of the song’s verses, translated from Filipino, begins: “You are the light in my world, a half of this heart of mine.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, I sang uninvited, upon the orders of the commander-in-chief of the United States,” Duterte said later, according to the ABS-CBN news channel.

#PresidentDuterte sings #Ikaw with #PilitaCorales, upon request of @realDonaldTrump. #Asean2017 pic.twitter.com/VjGCVeOeqG

— Karen Jimeno (@AttyKarenJimeno) November 12, 2017

Duterte, who is sometimes described as the “Trump of the East” because of his brash style, was due to meet the US president on the sidelines of the summit on later Monday.

The United States and its former colony, the Philippines, have been strategic allies since the World War II. But their relations have been strained by anti-US outbursts from Duterte and his enthusiasm for better ties with Russia and China.