Host with the most

The Philippines began hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings last December under the threat of Typhoon Ruby, which necessitated moving the meeting from Bicol to Manila. As the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting was going on, another group – technical crew, directors, producers, performers – was frantically getting the venue ready for the welcome dinner and show, having transported everything from Legazpi City.

While the substantive part of the APEC meetings – over 20 have been held so far – have yielded significant agreements among the 21 member economies, many have noted that the “less serious” but just as substantive portions – the dinner shows – are leaving lasting impressions on the delegates. The task of putting on a show for APEC fell on the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which harnessed its vast resources of artistic talent and technical expertise to mount a total of 17 shows in seven locations, with different themes and different artists.

Usec. Ma. Victoria Jasmin of the Department of Tourism and Nestor Jardin, head of the creative team, tell us that guidelines for the shows were clearly set out by the DOT: to convey the message that the Philippines is progressive, to demonstrate pride of culture and, following the APEC theme, to be inclusive. The challenge is to translate these guidelines into concepts for the different shows. Research on the cultural strengths and assets of each location was the first step, followed by site inspection to determine appropriate venues and available resources.  The show in Pampanga last February, for example, was held outdoors at the Clark Field parade grounds to showcase the famed giant Christmas lanterns and adventure sports like hot air balloons and BMX bikers. The indigenous Aeta culture was highlighted as well with a moving opening ritual of blessing.

Delegates to the Senior Officials’ Meeting – as well as the meeting of the ministers responsible for trade – agree that their meeting in Boracay last May “really raised the bar” for presentations. Against a backdrop of the famous beach and the sea, with paraws silhouetted against the setting sun and a magical mythical sculpture on stage, delegates shed their serious personas and joined the performers to party on the beach well into the night.

Jardin also explained that the shows are aligned with the theme of the meeting.  The upcoming Senior Disaster Management Officials’ forum will have as theme Shining Through, indicating resilience and triumph over adversity and calamity; while next month’s Food Security Week in Iloilo will focus on food and agriculture under the theme Harvest. Most the performers are local, giving artists from the regions their time in the spotlight in front of an international audience.

After Here Comes the Sun in Cebu the other week, as the audience got to their feet to cheer and to dance, one delegate leaned over and, with a big smile, said, “Tomorrow the discussions will be easier; this afternoon there were some tension and controversy, but after this (show), I think it’ll be easier tomorrow.”

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:9-11