Kris Aquino, sisters to host APEC leaders' spouses

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III's sisters will host the spouses of the 20 heads of states who will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Metro Manila next week.

Since Aquino is a bachelor, presidential sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Viel Aquino-Dee and celebrity Kris Aquino will attend to the spouses of his counterparts, according to Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr.

"It's the most natural thing to do. Iyon 'yung plano. So the presidential sisters are the the ones who are planning and making suggestions as to how they'd like to host the spouses who are coming here," said Paynor, director general of the APEC National Organizing Council.

Paynor said the presidential sisters and the APEC leaders' spouses will have a tour of Intramuros to see part of the country's heritage.

"They will also be hosted to lunch there kasi 'yung Intramuros that speaks of our history, hindi ba? So iyon 'yung napili nila na malapit lang and nandodoon na lahat. Kung gusto niyong malaman tungkol sa atin, ito na 'yon," Paynor said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

"They will be allowed to have their own time to go shopping," he added.

But unlike in 1996 when the APEC summit was held in Subic, Paynor said there will be no forum for the leaders' spouses this time.

The APEC Economic Leaders Meeting will be held on November 18 and 19. Paynor said the heads of states of the other 20 APEC member economies are expected to attend.

Paynor said the Philippines is prepared to receive the APEC leaders.

"I think we are about anywhere from 95-97 percent ready. What we are doing now is just fine-tuning all of the details that need to be done," he said.

The 21 APEC member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, United States, Chinese Taipei, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia and Vietnam.