What Kris Aquino tells critics of 'sunburn joke'

MANILA - Kris Aquino is a survivor.

The 44-year-old Aquino made that clear in an Instagram post, addressed to those criticizing her for joking about the plight of commuters during the height of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting held in Manila.

Late Friday, the television host shared to her more than 2.2 million followers on Instagram that recent events caused her blood pressure to shoot up.

"Good news for all those who can't stand me yet keep reading up on me, [keep]forwarding, [keep] commenting, [and] are affected sa posts ko," she wrote.

And as if proving to critics that she hasn't lost her sense of humor amid all the flak, she quipped that Filipinos may have to deal with her for around four more decades, describing herself as a "masamang damo."

"I was conversing with former president [Fidel] Ramos and asked about his good health and long life the other night, and he said 'matibay ang masamang damo.' So, OMG! Baka I'll be around for 40 [plus] more years?"

"Pero if you really want to get rid of me, pray that Datin Rosmah [Mansor] of Malaysia or [Ho Ching] Lee of Singapore will be successful in matching me [with one] of their countrymen --both said they'd be looking," she added.




Aquino, the youngest daughter of Benigno Aquino Jr. and the late former president Corazon Aquino, then turned sentimental and reminisced about "surviving" the Martial Law years.

"From infancy, I survived seven years and seven months of Martial Law na nakakulong ang Dad namin, I survived having him assassinated, I survived all the coup attempts when literally outside my bedroom window nagbabarilan."

"I survived falling from a 12-foot high stage, I survived being disowned by my family for a wrong choice of the heart, I was blessed with forgiveness and reconciliation with my family, I survived losing our Mom to cancer, I survived losing a big part of my savings and my sons' during my annulment."

"I survive as a single parent raising a child in the autism spectrum as well as an 8 year old who is even more opinionated than me, and I survived all the venom thrown at me on social media throughout the campaign and [President Benigno Aquino III's] presidency."

"But I remain one of our country's top taxpayers, I still endorse and represent so many top brands and institutions, I've donated and built homes, schools, and Churches, and I've given numerous educational assistance to students and seminarians. In other words, I'M GREAT AT SURVIVING, been doing it my whole life."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Modern Pinoy dishes served during APEC dinner

MANILA - Via Mare founder Glenda Barretto and Margarita Fores of Cibo prepared a modern Filipino meal at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) welcome dinner on Wednesday.

Local ingredients and modern techniques came together to prepare dishes for a total of 700 guests.

"We [presented] what is classic, national in taste... like flavors of adobo, tinola, kesong puti [and] itlog na maalat," said Barretto.

Fores, for her part, said she wanted to showcase the uniqueness and diversity of ingredients available in the Philippines.

"All these... microgreens and herbs that we've taken for granted... are things that very important restaurants abroad have highlighted," she said. "It's great that we realize now that all these are actually quite unique [for foreigners], things that they don't have in their parts of the world."

Here's a look at the dishes served during the APEC dinner at the Mall of Asia Arena:

 Ensalada Tagala with duck estofado, smoked kesong puti and red egg flan with rambutan vinaigrette. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

 

Tinola with ground lapu-lapu and tiger prawns. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

Bistek Manilenya. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

 Inasal na Apahap. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

Maja Blanca with smoked coconut meringue and lambanog-poached mango. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

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Trudeau whisked away from adoring Manila mob

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to be whisked away from a summit by police bodyguards on Thursday as hundreds of excited journalists and staff swarmed around him in a bid to take photos and say hello.

Trudeau, a charismatic young politician who won Canada's election last month promising "sunny ways" and respect, has generated rock star-like enthusiasm this week during meetings in Turkey and Manila.

As he left a news conference at the end of an Asia-Pacific summit, dozens of mainly young local reporters and conference staff gathered around him in a hallway.

Trudeau initially smiled and waved and shook a few hands but the crowd suddenly grew larger and he was soon surrounded by a couple of hundred people taking pictures and shouting his name.

"He held my hand!" shrieked one woman. Another woman broke away, looking close to collapse.



The prime minister started to look nervous and his bodyguards formed a tight group and rushed him out of the conference center, shutting the doors behind them.

"Things got out of hand. But we expected it because he is one of the best-looking delegates," said security officer Rico Mojica, who asked a friend to take a video of Trudeau while he tried to pacify the crowd.

Trudeau escaped unscathed and waved to a few more people before climbing into his official limousine and driving off.

"He's so cute - and very intelligent," gushed local reporter Katherine Imson when asked why she had joined the crowd.

Trudeau is the son of former Liberal prime minister Pierre Trudeau and has been in the public eye all his life.

At the news conference a few minutes earlier, asked about the public adulation he generated, Trudeau said he had long learned how to ignore people's perceptions of him.

"There were a lot of people who liked my father and liked me for reasons that were entirely unrelated to who I actually was and I had to learn to set aside positive impressions that were not grounded in reality," he said.

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The impact of the APEC 'family photo'

The 'family photo' of leaders participating during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is more than just a souvenir shot.

What seems to be just a normal photo opportunity, the "family photo" can actually help solve key issues in the region, such as reducing the level of tension over border issues, an economics professor said.

University of the Philippines Professor Cayetano Paderanga Jr. interpreted that the "family photo" of the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies symbolize the impact of the meeting.

“Just like the usual family photos that end up family reunions, we can’t underestimate the impact, the impact actually can be quite subtle but very important, this is when the new cousins get to meet the other cousins,” he said.

Paderanga said one of the inconcrete impacts may be a reduced level of tension, which has been quite high over the last two to three years, over territorial disputes.

“Let’s take a very good example, President Noy and Xi Jinping of China, everybody is watching what the chemistry is, because if the chemistry is good then that will be a signal that the tension in the border issues will go down,” he added.

But the economics professor said Xi's presence in the meeting alone already sends a message of a reduced tension between the Philippines and China.

“Just the fact that they are meeting, that in fact premier Xi Jinping came over is already a big [positive] message… and we also gave a very strong concession ‘look border issue is not on the agenda,’ and so he came, that’s already a very big reduction on the level of tension,” Paderanga said.

“And this [impact] will become multiplied when the government officials meet at the lower levels and then you start thinking about businessman much more comfortable talking to businessman coming from a country whose leader their leader doesn’t like,” he added.

WATCH: Paderanga speaks on reaping the gains of APEC meetings

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APEC leaders to condemn terror attacks

MANILA - Asia-Pacific leaders called for increased international cooperation and solidarity against terrorism as they condemned recent terrorist attacks that killed hundreds in France and Lebanon and downed a Russian airliner over Egypt.

“Under the shadow cast by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and against Russian aircraft over the Sinai, and elsewhere, we strongly condemn all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations,” said the 21 leaders representing member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

“We stress the urgent need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.”

The “urgent call” was contained in a draft of the statement the APEC leaders are scheduled to issue late Thursday, at the end of their 2-day meeting in Manila.

Although APEC is primarily concerned with lowering trade barriers, facilitating investments, and integrating the region’s economies, the leaders took note of the link between terrorism and economic growth.

“We will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies,” they said. “Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization.”

The APEC leaders’ last major statement on terrorism was in Shanghai in 2001, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. At that time, the terrorism statement was in a separate document from their main statement on lowering of trade barriers and facilitating investments.

In APEC 2015, the reference to terrorism is incorporated in the main declaration.

The leaders also welcomed APEC members’ efforts to counter terrorism, especially measures to combat terrorist financing and prevent the travel of foreign terrorist fighters.

“We further encourage economies to implement fully the APEC Consolidated Counter-Terrorism and Secure Trade Strategy and to continue taking collective and individual actions and sharing best practices to secure infrastructure, travel, supply chains, and financial systems from terrorist activities,” they said.

ADVANCING FREE TRADE
The leaders of the APEC forum members gathered in Manila on Wednesday to hold a two-day meeting. A major agenda item was how to push ahead with their ultimate goal of establishing a broad free trade zone under the Free-Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) framework.

Discussions will be intensified in particular after 12 countries, all APEC members, concluded years of negotiations last month to create the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade bloc that covers 40 percent of the global economy.

"We reaffirm our commitment to advance the process in a comprehensive and systematic manner towards the eventual realization of the FTAAP as a major instrument to further APEC's regional economic integration agenda," the draft joint declaration reads.

The TPP and other regional trade pacts under negotiation have been considered as fundamental steps toward creating the ambitious FTAAP free trade zone.

"We note the recent development on the free trade agreements in the region and the progress of the possible pathways to the FTAAP, including the finalization of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations," the draft notes.

It goes on to say the members also "encourage the early completion of negotiations for (the) Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership" which is seen as another huge multilateral trade initiative that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and India, along with three other partners, are seeking to establish.

A summit of the 12 countries involved in the U.S.-led TPP was also held Wednesday on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

"While our focus is on approval and implementation of the results of negotiations with our current partners, we have also seen interest from a number of economies throughout the region," the leaders said in a statement issued after the TPP meeting.

The trade treaty "isn't (just) about boosting exports between our countries in the Asia-Pacific. The TPP is also helping to write the rules of global trade for the 21st century," U.S. President Barack Obama, the chair of the meeting, said.

The 12 TPP countries will need to ratify the agreement before bringing it into force.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged the partners to work on the necessary procedures promptly. The TPP pact would be "pie in the sky" if it does not take effect, he said.

The APEC forum, established in 1989, groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. -- with a report from Kyodo News

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WATCH: El Gamma Penumbra performs for APEC leaders

Shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra, the first ever grand champion of "Asia's Got Talent," was given a rare opportunity on Wednesday to perform in front of economic leaders and delegates at the APEC Economic Leaders' Welcome Dinner held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Accompanied by "American Idol" season 11 runner up Jessica Sanchez, the Batangas-based group presented in their trademark style a fascinating insight into local culture by showcasing traits innate in Filipinos such as selflessness.

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LOOK: Kris Aquino's APEC 2015 looks

MANILA – TV host-actress Kris Aquino showcased the creations of two young local designers during the events for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Aquino chose to wear dresses designed by Michael Leyva and Anthony Ramirez during the week-long series of activities.

Here’s a look at Aquino’s APEC 2015 looks, which have drawn praise from Filipino netizens.

Mobile users can view the desktop version of this slideshow here.

 Kris Aquino welcomed Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto at Luneta Park in a bright yellow dress by young designer Anthony Ramirez. An Hermes Twilly scarf worn as a belt completed the TV host’s look.

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LOOK: It’s not a bus, it’s not a jeep, it’s...

It’s not a bus, it’s not a jeep, it’s a Skyjeepney.

The 44-seater Skyjeepney, used to ferry members of the press to cover the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 16-20 in Manila, became an instant attraction at the International Media Center.

Just like the legendary Philippine Jeepney, the double-decker bus is a sure hit for foreigners and locals alike given its color and unique design that reflect Filipino culture.

Designed by Mark Cabili Bautista of Design Development Industries, Inc., the Skyjeepney is being promoted as a touring bus that gives passengers both fun and comfort.

The air-conditioned bus is also equipped with a GPS, refrigerator, cellphone-charging station, and a videoke that make a commuter's trip memorable.

The manufacturing cost of a Skyjeepney varies from 3.5 million to 12 million Philippine pesos, depending on one’s specifications.

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Xi endures lonely red-carpet APEC welcome in PH

Philippine President Benigno Aquino promised to be the "perfect host" to all leaders attending a regional summit, but a long and lonely red carpet welcome walk for China's Xi Jinping on Wednesday betrayed their nations' icy ties.

Aquino led the heads of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group along a red carpet laid throughout the summit venue in Manila to a stage where they gathered for an opening ceremony.

Xi and Chile's Michelle Bachelet were in the front row alongside Aquino.

But Aquino conversed only with Bachelet, laughing and chatting amiably, leaving Xi to plod sombrely alone through the sprawling convention centre with nobody to talk with.

The awkward walk, which lasted four minutes and seven seconds, ended when Xi entered the hall for the opening ceremony and an unidentified official approached him.

China and the Philippines are locked in a bitter diplomatic row over rival claims to parts of the South China Sea.

The Philippines had feared Xi may snub the summit because of the dispute.



When asked why Aquino had not moved to talk with Xi and whether it could be interpreted as a snub, Philippine presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma declined to respond directly.

"It was a long walk, your question might be speculative," Coloma said.

But Coloma said the two leaders had before the walk held a "warm and cordial" conversation for two minutes, although this was not captured on video.

When world leaders meet at any event, body language and personal interactions are often closely watched as a means of gauging a bigger picture on diplomatic relations.

When Xi was APEC host last year, a handshake with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe highlighted the longstanding and deep-seated tensions between their two nations.

Xi did not smile or speak, turning away from Abe to face the cameras even before the translator had finished speaking, and looked distinctly unimpressed.

Netizens quickly compared the pair to Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore -- Abe taking the role of the miserable, downtrodden donkey of the AA Milne novels.

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LOOK: APEC Ministers' spouses get a taste of PH food, culture

MANILA - The spouses of ministers who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meetings (AMM) were treated to a day of Philippine food and culture.

They participated in the AMM Spouses' Program hosted by Gretchen del Rosario, the wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, and Rowena Domingo, wife of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo.

The group toured the Ayala Museum and visited the Diorama Experience. The exhibition, featuring 60 dioramas, tells a comprehensive visual story of Philippine history.

Mrs. del Rosario and Mrs. Domingo also treated the group to a luncheon where local dishes such as chicken binakol, buko pandan, and sampaguita ice cream were served to the guests.

The luncheon was complemented by a cultural presentation with Triple Fret and Kontri Gapi providing music, and a fashion show featuring four collections: tribal, floral, black and white, and traditional.

The spouses and guests then went to visit the Kultura Filipino store at the SM Aura where they were welcomed by staff members with a dance called maglalatik.

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LOOK: Photos of 'APEC hotties' Pena Nieto, Trudeau

MANILA – Two leaders who arrived in Manila for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Tuesday set Twitter on fire, with Filipino netizens gushing over their good looks.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been dubbed by Filipino Internet users as “APEC hotties,” which became a top trending topic on the microblogging site.

Mobile users can view the desktop version of the slideshow here.

 

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

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Obama hails Pinay scientist's saltwater lamp

MANILA – US President Barack Obama hailed a Filipina scientist's invention, a lamp that runs on saltwater, as the US leader made a push for the use of renewable energy ahead of a crucial meeting in Paris that will weigh heavily on the future of the earth.

During a light moment at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, Obama admired De La Salle University faculty member Aisa Mijeno for making the aspirations of ordinary people as her inspiration in coming up with an invention that provides a very basic necessity that is also environmentally sustainable.

''One of the most important things you said, in my mind at least, is that this starts from the bottom,'' Obama told Mjieno.

''If we're working at the grassroots level, seeing what folks need and figuring out efficient way how to deliver an improved quality of life while being environmentally sustainable, that's an enormous opportunity. But it starts at looking at the aspiration and hopes of ordinary people."

Mijeno's multi-awarded SALt (Sustainable Alternative Lighting) lamp runs on saltwater and can last for up to 8 hours before the saline solution inside it requires replacement.

''The main science behind the lamp is it’s a chemical reaction. You try to convert chemical reaction into energy. There's something inside the lamp and you have to change it, but you only have to change every 6 months if you are using the lamp 8 hours a day,'' Mijeno explained to Obama.

Mijeno said the idea of the SALt lamp was conceived when she visited mountain communities in Kalinga, where people had to walk for hours a day just to get kerosene to power their lamps.

Obama, in turn, said Mijeno is a ''perfect example of what we're seeing in a lot of countries – young entrepreneurs coming up with leapfrog technologies."

''They did not have to make some of the massive infra investments. This is part of the reason why the old idea of development and environmental sustainability is outdated. It does raise the issue though of what we can do support young entrepreneurs like Aisa,'' he said.

Obama said governments should provide tax incentives for those producing renewable and alternative sources of energy and help and provide support for research and development.

Mijeno said the SALt lamp project is now on its critical phase as she and her team attempt to mass produce the lamp.

''What we need is support from the private sector and the government to mentor us how we can scale up the project, [give] support in terms of funding,'' she said.

CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT

In his speech during the summit, Obama said renewable technology is the way to go with traditional sources of energy threatening the earth's climate.

Obama will attend a climate change conference in Paris, France by the end of the month where world leaders will craft a legally binding agreement on lowering carbon emissions.

Obama said the climate change conference would provide ''opportunities'' for businesses because the agreement will usher in ''new jobs and opportunities and an investment in technology that frankly needs a boost right now.''

''The urgent and growing threat of climate change is a challenge but also, I would argue, an opportunity,'' he said.

''An ambitious agreement in Paris will prompt investors to invest in clean energy technologies because they will understand the world is committed to a low-carbon future.''

The Philippines has already submitted its climate change mitigation and adaptation plan to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Obama said more than 160 countries, representing 90 percent of global emissions, have put forward climate targets for post-2020.

The Philippines had earlier said it would cut the archipelago nation's carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030 but only if it receives support from developed nations.

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Prime Minister Key: More opportunities for Pinoys in NZ

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said they are increasing opportunities for Filipino students to study in New Zealand.

Key, who is in the Philippines for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, said New Zealand's demand for Filipino workers particularly in the construction and health care industry also continues.


As flights from the Philippines to New Zealand to start next month, Key believes this will bolster tourism between both countries.

Meanwhile, Key is hoping other member-economies of APEC, including the Philippines, would join Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

A champion of free trade, Key said joining the TPP produced good results for their country and the nations they signed the agreement with.

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New Zealand PM hopes other APEC members will join TPP

MANILA – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key attests that joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been good for his country.

A champion of free trade, Key hopes the remaining members of APEC, including the Philippines, would also join TPP.

"I think there'll be a little bit of backslapping that goes on because of TPP being completed and I suspect for the other sort of nine other economies or countries that aren't members of TPP but are members of APEC, I suspect they'll be looking at thinking, should they possibly come in as it's an opportunity for them," Key told ABS-CBN's Ces Drilon in an exclusive interview.

"From the New Zealand's point of view, I think we take the view of the more the merrier...We'd be more than happy for other countries to come in," he added.

Meanwhile, Key said there are now more opportunities for students as well as Filipino workers in New Zealand, particularly in the construction and health care industry.

Currently, there are 40,000 Filipinos living in New Zealand.

Flights from the Philippines to New Zealand will also start next month, which Key believes will bolster tourism between both countries.

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APEC ministers welcome progress in creating new trade zone

Ministers of 21 Asia-Pacific economies on Tuesday welcomed progress in efforts to establish a region-wide free trade zone as they wrapped up a two-day meeting in Manila.

In their joint statement released after the meeting, the ministers also vowed to take actions "to safeguard the region's infrastructure, travel, supply chains and financial systems from terrorism and other illicit activities" in the wake of Friday's terror attacks in Paris.

At last year's forum in Beijing, the 21 member economies including the Philippines -- the host of this year's forum -- agreed to launch a joint study to look at the viability of a new free trade framework, called the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, and pledged to implement it "as early as possible."

"We commend the progress of the implementation of the Beijing Roadmap for APEC's Contribution to the Realization of the FTAAP," said the statement. The study will be completed by the end of next year.

During the meeting in Manila, the ministers confirmed the importance of pursuing the new trade bloc based on multilateral trade schemes such as the recently sealed Trans-Pacific Partnership pact.

The TPP and other trade deals are encouraging "because by having more of these regional or bilateral, plurilateral type of agreements we actually advance the position of the free-trade regimes," Philippines Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said at a press conference after the meeting.

On the Paris massacre which left 129 people dead and hundreds wounded, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said at the press conference, "Everyone has expressed their condolences to the families of the victims over the terrorist acts."

"There was a call for the unity of nations and people, and there was additionally a call for bringing to justice those who perpetuated the horrific developments in Paris last Friday," he said.

The 21 economies are considering expressing their joint response to the attacks in a declaration to be issued by the leaders later this week, an APEC source said.

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LOOK: Kenneth Cobonpue designs chairs, tokens for APEC dinner

Kenneth Cobonpue has designed chairs and tokens for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner. Photo from the APEC 2015 Philippines website

MANILA – Cebu-based internationally renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue is the creative director for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner.

His role includes designing the set design for the dinner to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena, as well as creating souvenir tokens and special chairs for the 21 economic leaders.

(LOOK: Kenneth Cobonpue designs first restaurant)

“I wanted to transform the whole space into a huge outdoor garden,” Cobonpue said of his vision for the set design in a statement released on the APEC 2015 Philippines website. “Part of the challenge was how to transform the coldness and immensity of the arena and turn it into something that’s warm and cozy.”

The chairs of the 21 economic leaders are based on Cobonpue’s Yoda chair design, which is inspired by blades of grass, but will have armrests and wheels.

The tokens, named Sama-Sama (together), are glass-covered brass sculptures finished in yellow gold, pale silver and warm copper, showing communities of people in island formations to symbolize APEC members.

“What I always find challenging… [is] to still use natural materials and natural themes, and to make it sophisticated – to show that we are rooted in the past, but we are [also] right in the 21st century,” Cobonpue explained. “I think it’s really important… to showcase the best of who we are and what we are – and we do that with the program, and all the little details that make up the whole welcome dinner.”

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China's top diplomat to visit PH ahead of APEC meet

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group next week, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday, amid tensions between China and the Philippines over the disputed South China Sea.

The APEC meeting will take place in Manila from Nov. 17 to 19. APEC's members include the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Canada, and together account for 57 percent of global production and 46.5 percent of world trade.

China has overlapping claims with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei in the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.

A summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last week, attended by both the United States and China, failed to produce a final statement because the delegations could not agree on whether to mention the South China Sea dispute.

China has been particularly angered by a case lodged by the Philippines with an arbitration court in the Netherlands over the South China Sea. China says it will neither recognize nor participate in the case.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit the Philippines on Tuesday to discuss preparations for Xi's visit and ways to improve Beijing's relations with Manila, China's Foreign Ministry said.

"At present, because of reasons everyone knows about, Sino-Philippine relations are facing difficulties. This is something China does not wish to see," ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

"China pays great attention to relations with the Philippines and is willing to appropriately resolve relevant issues on the basis of dialogue and negotiation."

Prior to going to Manila, Xi will attend the G20 summit in Turkey, the foreign ministry added.

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BMW to deploy 200 vehicles for APEC 2015 in PH

MANILA – German luxury carmaker BMW will be deploying over 200 vehicles to service leaders and officials attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in the Philippines next year.

BMW will provide BMW 7 Series Long-Wheelbase Sedans and BMW 5 Series models in Sedan and Gran Turismo forms for heads of states, dignitaries, government officials, and private sector leaders attending the meetings.

BMW, which serves as the official premium mobility partner of APEC, also sponsored a fleet of BMW 7 Series Long-Wheelbase Sedans for the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) held on December 8 and 9, 2014 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

The vehicles served over 350 foreign and Filipino experts from multilateral organizations and national agencies, members of the academe, and various industry practitioners.

The two-day symposium streamlined priorities for next year’s conference, which carries the theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building A Better World.”

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, expressed its support to the government’s efforts in setting the agenda for its host year amid the inclement weather last week.

“BMW congratulates the Philippine government for taking point in this year’s APEC ISOM. We will continue to support the endeavors of our leaders in the coming year as they tackle economic strategies in major business sectors including the automotive industry, which is poised to help spur growth in the region,” said ACC president Maricar Parco.

The Philippines will host a series of APEC meetings to be held in held in Metro Manila, Boracay, Iloilo City, Tagaytay City, Cebu, Bagac, Bataan, Clark, Pampanga, and Legazpi City in November.

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