FILIPINO talent took center stage Wednesday evening at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders' Meeting Welcome Dinner hosted by President Benigno Aquino III at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano and Concert King Martin Nievera led the performances dedicated to the visiting world leaders, trade and foreign ministers, senior officials, staff and delegates of the annual event.
Shadow play group and "Asia's Got Talent" first grand champion El Gamma Penumbra wowed everyone with their performance which centered on Filipinos' hard work and hospitality.
Charice and the Philippine Madrigal Singers performed "Para Sa Bayan," while "The Voice Kids" season 2 finalist Reynan Del-Anay and Apl.de.ap sang "Where is the Love."
Paolo Valenciano, who directed the production with dance choreographer Douglas Nierra, said they wanted to showcase the richness and variety of Filipino culture.
"We basically wanted to highlight the talent of Filipino artists not just in music but also in art, design, food," he said in a news release.
"The show is a good collaboration between veterans and rookies. The fact that they got me (to direct), that they're putting a lot of trust in me--that shows you that these people are very collaborative. They're very open to new ideas, and they really let us... work as equals."
Other names who performed during the welcome dinner were "American Idol" season 11 runner up Jessica Sanchez, Jed Madela, Arnel Pineda and award-winning pianist Cecile Licad.
Louie Ocampo served as musical director, while Gina Godinez was in charge of the creative concept.
Celebration of Filipino cuisine
Delegates were also treated to "classic but edgy" Philippine cuisine prepared by Via Mare founder Glenda Barretto and Cibo's Margarita "Gaita" Fores.
The guests feasted on ensalada tagala, bistek manilenya, yamang dagat tinola, and maja blanca moderna, among others.
"We (presented) what is classic, national in taste like flavors of adobo, tinola, kesong puti, itlog na maalat," Barretto said.
Fores added the dishes combined classic and modern taste.
"Tita Glenda has always been the master, premier in presenting our cuisine to a global stage. Combining the two of us…speaks of two different eras, but then we’re delivering one big message about what’s great about our country," she said.
One of the highlights of the evening could very well be the arrival of the 20 world leaders in their custom-made Paul Cabral barong Tagalog.
It took the Filipino renowned designer four months to finish the barongs and ternos for the world leaders, including United States President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and their spouses.
"Since the Philippines is the Apec host economy, it is fitting and appropriate for the Economic Leaders to wear the Barong Tagalog for such a significant event," he said.
Cabral added: "We did a lot of research. For every participating economy, we researched on their arts, culture, crafts, and used those as the basis for all our designs. So when you see the Barong Tagalogs, you can really identify them."
The Apec Leaders' Summit runs from November 18-19. (Sunnex)