Gracing the ad congress opening rites as guest of honor and keynote speaker, the President congratulated delegates and the organizing committee for the huge success of the advertising event.
Mrs. Arroyo quoted 18th PAC chairman Eugenio Lopez III as saying that the event was the "most attended" ad congress since the biennial event began in 1967.
Concurring with the views of the chairman and CEO of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., the President said the achievement signaled that Baguio City is a "very popular" venue and that Philippine business is "getting more brisk." The site of the ad congress, the CAP Convention Center at Camp John Hay, was built in time for the staging of the event.
The President lauded the "movers" of the advertising industry for influencing confidence and the "pace of the economy."
According to initial estimates, Lopez said this year’s ad congress generated $1 million in revenues so far, improving the previous ad congress record of about P40 million ($727,000) by 25 percent.
"You are more powerful than we have imagined and in a way more powerful than any presidency. It is even said that presidents are only elected by men, but artists like many of you are the truly anointed (ones)," Mrs. Arroyo told her audience.
In a press conference, Dodie Lucas, head of the 18th PAC administration committee, said 2,800 delegates registered for the ad congress. However, about 2,000 more flocked to the CAP Trade and Cultural Center to attend "per day sessions" from leading local and foreign advertising gurus, while some went to visit the trade exhibit.
The President reiterated anew her call for "national unity" and "reconciliation" in order to heal the wounds of divisiveness.
Before the President’s speech, the Bayanihan Philippines International Dance Co. performance highlighted Filipino heritage and unique cultures with the main performer exclaiming, "The Filipino will rule the world!" at the end.
Baguio City Mayor Bernardo Vergara made the opening remarks followed by Adboard chairman Cerge Remonde and Lopez.
STAR president and CEO Miguel G. Belmonte, who served as this year’s PR and publicity chairman, said it was a "highly successful" opening, noting that guests were "very enthusiastic" in taking part in the activities.
"The ad congress brings people together for a relevant and timely event considering the many problems of the country brought about mainly by disunity. The congress theme, ‘What’s the Big Idea,’ challenges us to rediscover how we can help one another and unite in overcoming these problems," he said.
Mrs. Arroyo earlier graced The Philippine STAR cocktails at the Manor Garden of Camp John Hay Manor Hotel.