BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., also known as PBBM, is set to attend the wedding reception of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's son, Prince Abdul Mateen, in Bandar Seri Begawan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President will return on Sunday. The wedding ceremony, which took place at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei's capital on Thursday, is part of a grand 10-day celebration that will conclude on January 16.
Local news sources report that the festivities will include a wedding reception and a parade around Bandar Seri Begawan on Sunday, culminating in a banquet attended by various heads of states. The wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen, who was once named Asia's most eligible bachelor and is sixth in line to the Bruneian throne, has garnered significant attention. Prince Abdul Mateen, the Sultan's 10th son, is a helicopter pilot, a major in the Royal Brunei Air Force, and an avid polo player.
The bride is a businesswoman who owns a fashion brand and a tourism company, further adding to the high-profile nature of the event.
The visit also underscores the long-standing diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei. These relations were officially established on January 1, 1984, when the Philippine Consulate General in Bandar Seri Begawan was elevated to an Embassy. This was followed by the opening of the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Makati City.
Brunei, known for its significant Filipino workforce, is home to over 22,000 Filipino workers. The event highlights the cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.