Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, currently receiving international condemnation for a systematic squashing of his country’s opposition, has personally requested Filipino actress Marian Rivera, one of the country’s biggest stars, attend the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
Rivera told reporters about the unexpected invitation yesterday during a launch event in a Makati City mall.
The actress said the invite is for the state dinner for Hun Sen and Myanmar President Htin Kyaw, to be held tomorrow in Clark, Pampanga, about two hours away from Manila.
“I’m excited to meet them, because we were told that they patronize GMA [network] shows in … Cambodia,” Rivera said.
Two of her shows, the Filipino remake of Marimar and Dyesebel, were big hits in the country. Her other show Carmela is currently being aired in Cambodia as well.
“We were told that the [prime minister] of Cambodia wanted to see me, that’s why we’re going,” she said.
Hun Sen, who is one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state, was last in the Philippines in April for the 30th ASEAN Summit.
The 31st ASEAN Summit starts tomorrow and ends on Tuesday. More than 20 world leaders are expected to attend the event including US President Donald Trump.
