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*Subject:**WH Travel Pool Report #2*

The opening ceremony is being held in a cavernous auditorium with a stage flanked by the flags of the ASEAN member countries.
At 943, as an orchestra played a stately processional, the leaders filed into the auditorium and took white leather seats facing the stage.
Trump greeted PM Malcom Turnbull and PM Justin Trudeau, among others.
Then the leaders mounted the state for a group photo.
POTUS, in a red tie, stood next to Duterte, in traditional white Philippine shirt.

Give is your brightest smile, the MC intoned as cameras flashed. Then he instructed them to give each other the customary ASEAN handshake, right hand over left hand.
After a false start, Trump executed the handshake correctly and smiled much more enthusiastically than he had for the photo.
The leaders sat down and listened to the playing of various ASEAN songs, which celebrated the soaring spirit of this group and had the vague echo of a Disney musical.
Rodrigo Duterte then took the lectern to martial music.
He opened by noting the Philippines success is defeating ISIS-linked extremists and thanked foreign partners for their help.
I apologize for setting the tone of statement in such a manner, he said, but added these threats know no boundaries.
The menace of the illegal drug trade continues to threaten the fabric of our societies, Duterte said, making no mention of his controversial anti-drug campaign.
He announced that ASEAN leaders had reached an agreement on the rights of migrant workers.
Then he declared the summit formally open.

After Duterte took his seat again, Trump leaned over and patted him lightly on the knee.

At that point, young dancers took the stage, performing a traditional dance under the slogan connected. Lots of whooping, percussion, and a Pacific Island theme (think, the movie Moana.)
Next came the tale of Rama Hari, with dancers from the Philippine ballet. Rama and Siri each sing of their frustrated love. The kingdom then celebrates Ramas victory over evil forces (lots of running around with large orange flags).
Next came a tribute to youth culture with dancers doing a kind of slow-motion hip hop.
As the thumping beat went on, pool returned to the motorcade for the ride back to the Sofitel and wthe first of Trumps bilateral meetings, with Malcom Turnbull of Australia.

Mark Landler NY Times