Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Wednesday she was taken aback after being confronted by protesters during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Canada from July 1 to 4, recalling it was her first time encountering a rally up close.

Castro said she initially greeted the demonstrators in a friendly manner but was surprised when they began criticizing her, adding she had wanted to engage them in dialogue but felt the crowd’s approach appeared confrontational.

Watch the full interview below.