World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Marcos jokes about forming a band with Singapore’s Wong and other ASEAN leaders
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has joked about starting a band with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other Southeast Asian leaders.
He raised the idea at the Forbes Global CEO Conference on October 7, saying it could be a retirement plan.
Marcos said the leaders could tour Asia, but described the idea as a joke.
Wong, who attended the same conference at a different time, said he had not brought his guitar and was unsure the plan would happen.
Other leaders mentioned in connection with music include Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who can play saxophone, and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who sings.
No band or concert has been confirmed, so for now the idea remains a lighthearted suggestion.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr joked about forming a music band with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other ASEAN leaders after they leave office.
Marcos said the idea came up when he met Wong during a visit to Japan.
He described a possible Asia tour as a way for the leaders to have fun, whether or not it was successful.
Wong said the band was Marcos’s wish and he was unsure it would happen.
Marcos and Wong spoke about the idea at the Forbes Global CEO Conference.
- Who
- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, along with other ASEAN leaders.
- What
- Marcos joked about forming a band with the leaders after they leave office.
- When
- Marcos spoke about it at the Forbes Global CEO Conference on October 7, 2026.
- Where
- At the Forbes Global CEO Conference. Marcos said he first proposed the idea during a visit to Japan.
- Why
- Marcos said many ASEAN leaders enjoy music and described the band as a retirement plan.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr
Lawrence Wong
Whether the band will form
Ferdinand Marcos Jr
Marcos joked that the leaders would form a band and tour Asia after their duties ended.
Lawrence Wong
Wong said the idea was Marcos’s wish and he was not sure it would happen.
This is part of our retirement plan. We find that many ASEAN leaders are music lovers, including myself.
Not at all. I didn't bring my guitar.
That's President Marcos's wish, but I'm not sure whether it will come true. We'll see.
Marcos said he proposed forming a band to Wong and two other ASEAN leaders.
Marcos spoke about the band idea at the Forbes Global CEO Conference.
Detik published its report about Marcos's remarks and Wong's response.
- Marcos
- Ferdinand Marcos Jr, president of the Philippines
- Wong
- Lawrence Wong, prime minister of Singapore
- Proposed band
- ASEAN leaders, including Marcos and Wong
- Possible tour
- Asia
- Conference remarks
- Forbes Global CEO Conference, October 7, 2026
Sources
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