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But Tuesday, welcoming Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the White House, President Bush couldn't resist getting in a joke about his chef.
First, said Bush, "I want to tell you how proud I am to be the president of a nation that -- in which there's a lot of Philippine Americans. They love America and they love their heritage."
Second, he continued, "I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine Americans when I eat dinner at the White House.... And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President."
Arroyo thanked Bush for the compliment, and for the offer to send two assets the Philippines need desperately now: U.S. Navy ships to help with ferry rescue, and rice to feed a country suffering a rice shortage.