MANILA, Philippines - The “APEC hotties” have attracted the attention even of President Aquino.
At an expanded bilateral talk yesterday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Aquino told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he was generating much attention in the country.
“You have a lot of fans here,”Aquino told Trudeau.
The President was apparently referring to the “battle” on social media between Team Trudeau and Team Nieto – fans of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.
The hashtag for Trudeau and Nieto was #APEChotties. Posts about the two leaders were retweeted and ‘favorited’ since they arrived in the country for the APEC summit.
Aquino thanked Canada for making the Philippines one of 25 countries that would receive 90 percent of Ottawa’s bilateral official development assistance, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
Aquino cited the country’s strong relations with Canada.
Coloma said Trudeau vowed to support the Philippines’ possible accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a US-led trade agreement composed of 12 countries.
There was no mention of the trash shipped from Canada to the country in 2013, which environmental activists want returned to the source.
APECHottie trends: Trudeau or Nieto?
Netizens are swooning over two world leaders who are in the country for the APEC summit.
Social media users named the 43-year-old Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada a “Canadian bae” and the 49-year-old Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto a “Mexican papi.”
Soon after the arrival photos of Trudeau and Nieto were posted online, hashtag #APEChottie took off Tuesday on Twitter and has trended worldwide:
@kimchi_926 : Who cares about traffic jam when u have Canadian PM Trudeau & Mexican President Nieto for #APEChottie #APECbae.
@kayiishh: One order of tacos, burrito and unli nachos! With Mexican President Nieto on the side.
@NoMediocre97 : “Knock knock” “Who’s there?” “Trudeau” “Trudeau who?” “I can make it Trudeau rain i can stand up once again.” #APEChottie
@omgbashyy: Never thought APEC would bring traffic to the girls’ hearts. HAHAHAHA #APEChottie
@khayeharthart: Something to brighten up my day. Mexico and Canada! #APEChottie
@chubbylen2 : Hahaha...the Pinoys got very, very interested in APEC 2015 coz of these two...thank you! #APEChottie
@majjestyanne : This is just so funny. haha Pinoys always look on a bright side.
Twitter user @iamthrisia quipped she will include #APECHottie in her incoming reaction and reflection papers for school while @imjesstorres likened Trudeau to Disney prince Eric of The Little Mermaid.
Presidential sister Kris Aquino also uploaded on Instagram a photo of her chatting with Nieto and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada as they welcomed the Mexican president at Rizal Park. She described Nieto as warm and appreciative of the Philippines’ hospitality in a photo caption. – With Charmie Joy Pagulong, Janvic Mateo