DFA: Program for state leaders' spouses ready

Department of Foreign Affairs undersecretary Francisco Benedicto said everything is ready for the program for the spouses of the heads of state attending the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Summit next week except that its motif has been changed from Christmas to Sinulog.

"All is ready. Everything is in place, the plan, and the activities. Nothing has changed except the plan catering to the Christmas motif. There would be little changes in the program to accommodate an appropriate motif for the New Year such as the decorations, the cultural programs," he said.

Benedicto said they would incorporate a Sinulog flavor in their preparations for the gala dinner that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo will be hosting at the Malacañang sa Sugbu.

The special tour around Cebu City being prepared for the spouses of the visiting heads of state will push through. Philippine ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano Lecaros, the ASEAN Summit spokesman, said the city tour for the spouses is set on January 14.

However, it was not confirmed as to how many spouses of the 15 heads of state would be in Cebu. Members of the spouses' committee, which is headed by First Gentleman Arroyo, are in charge of entertaining the spouses of the state leaders and visiting ministers.

Benedicto said although they failed to confirm their attendance, he believes that majority of these spouses will attend the summit, adding that a reduction in their number should not discourage the committee members.

The program will kick off with the reenactment of the Battle of Mactan and a bus tour on January 14.

From the Friendship Park in barangay Talamban in Cebu City where they will inaugurate a bamboo sculpture of Cebuano artists Raymund and Estella Fernandez, the spouses would proceed to the Cebu Provincial Capitol and the Fuente Osmeña.

Later, they would travel downtown to Colon Street and the Basilica del Santo Niño before heading back to the Capitol for a lunch with Gov. Gwen Garcia. They will also be treated to a fashion show to be organized by the Mandaue City government. - Gregg M. Rubio/LPM