APEC organizing committee thankful for Filipino hospitality

MANILA, Philippines – The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit National Organizing Committee on Wednesday night thanked Filipinos for their cooperation during the summit's culminating events.

APEC Philippines said they are thankful for Filipinos who helped them show to the world what true “Filipino hospitality” means through the country’s hosting of APEC Summit. The country welcomed leaders and delegates from various economies for the event.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding over the inconvenience brought about by our enhanced security measures,” a Facebook post on APEC Philippines read.

“You have shown to the 10, 000 delegates composed of 19 economic leaders, 2 high-level representatives of member –economies, 21 trade foreign ministers, 21 senior officials, over 6,000 staff and security personnel, over 4,000 members of the local and International media what Filipino hospitality means,” it added.

The APEC Leaders’ Meeting was held on November 18 and 19.

This is the second time the country hosted the meet and it is the first time it was held in Manila. In 1996, the APEC summit was held in Subic.

The leaders were welcomed by President Benigno Aquino III in a gala dinner where they experienced the taste of Filipino food, watched cultural performances and wore the national dress barong Tagalog made by renowned Filipino designer, Paul Cabral.

Due to the recent APEC summit, classes and works were suspended, flights were canceled and several roads were closed which drew complaints from netizens.

On Monday during the implementation of road closures, several commuters and motorists complained of the traffic that lead some of them walk to reach their destinations.

Thank you for helping show the world, through our hosting of #APEC2015, what Filipino hospitality means. pic.twitter.com/JvM63DdOgM

— APEC 2015 (@apec2015ph) November 18, 2015

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