Cebu wows APEC the best of Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - Years ago, in a previous life, I was once part of the Philippine delegation in one of several series of meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The much needed preparations were completed months before, the homework was done, and we were ready – to make our stand but nonetheless listen to what the others had to say.

The works of the following are featured in the Exquisitely Filipino Exhibit:

856 G Gallery, Arden Classic Inc., Avatar Accessories, Bon-Ace Fashion Tools, Catalina Embroideries Inc., Cebu Intertrade Export, Detalia Aurora, D’Oro Barandino, Earth Works Fashion, HoliCOW, Kultura Filipino by the SM Store, Mia Arcenas of Ferimar Import-Export Inc., Luisa Home by 808 LS Design Group Inc., Obra Cebuana, Pacific Traders and Manufacturing Corporation, Qube Gallery and Vito Selma.

Presentations were made on future tourism plans for the economies involved, along with discussions on various concerns on the industry and its development. Of course, there was still the drama from the debates on differing views on issues, but it was all conducted in the civilized and gentle manner of diplomatic decorum.

However, the tension was still palpable. Even during coffee breaks, alliances would be made through whispers with regard to the direction to be taken upon resumption, and agreements would be forged.

The drafting committee stayed up through the night consolidating the relevant data from all that discourse, complete with the last minute adjustments, and produced a masterpiece of a feasible document. Implementation would then follow along with the subsequent progress reports.

After these substantive yet mentally taxing exercises, the social events became the welcome respite.

One remembers the host nation’s history, heritage, traditions, customs, art, culture and their manifestations through songs, dances and their unique brand of hospitality, as it is the glimpse of the life of the people whose future, including those across the region, was the reason why the meetings were held.

For indeed, it touched the soul, as it is what I remember best and have carried with me through the years.

Recently in Cebu, one of the APEC meetings concluded and I had the opportunity to chat with some of this year’s delegates. I soon discovered that, although the location, the needs, and the times are different, the memory of shared leisurely experiences is what remains.

Allow me to explain why.

To culminate the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting, a dinner was hosted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) at the Radisson Blu Cebu. After being cooped up in conference rooms, the officials were treated to the open space of the hotel’s lush gardens for cocktails, with a cool breeze a soothing relief from the tropical heat.

Lupon Anduyo, the shortened name of Lumadnong Pundok nga Manduyogay, beat their percussion ensemble in an unobtrusive but pleasantly atmospheric quality, the overall vibe refreshingly of the archipelago.

Moving on, the international group was welcomed by the resplendent top female and male models of Cebu, dressed in a stunning collection by master couturier Cary Santiago.

On a flight of stairs, the Triple Fret guitar trio composed of Manila-based Marga Abejop, Igui Vinculado and Jenny de Vera nimbly strummed notes with utmost concentration and skill. The young ladies recently won first prize at the 27th Japan Guitar Ensemble Festival in Tokyo.

The interiors of the high-ceilinged and finely decorated lobby transformed into a spacious ballroom with several performing stages. A buffet of sumptuous dishes awaited the guests as well.

It was a celebration of Philippine culture and resilience, married with the universal appeal of The Beatles in a celebratory night entitled Here Comes the Sun, with the British band’s music reinterpreted with a uniquely Filipino touch and marvelously performed by the island’s and some of the country’s top-notch artists.

On the main stage were the Reo Brothers – Reno, Ronjoseph, Raymart and Ralph Evasco Otic, whose initials gave rise to the quartet name.

Their singing career began from their home in Tacloban City, where they would perform songs from 50s and 70s stars like The Beatles, Beachboys, Dave Clark Five, Bee Gees and many others, for various public occasions.

The family was devastated by super Typhoon Yolanda. They lost most of their property, so they moved to Manila and garnered national fame during ABS-CBN’s Kwento ng Pasko – Pag-asa at Pagbangon. One can consider this moment to be the pivotal instance which, along with the power of social media, gave them well-received presence on the international scene.

It is wonderful to see how they lived through tragedy believing that the sun will always shine and that there is a bright future in tomorrow, which makes the theme for the occasion significantly appropriate.

With a medley of A Hard Day’s Night, Eight Days a Week and I Wanna Hold Your Hand, the crowd cheered and the excitement only heightened as the night progressed. The University of Cebu Dance Company, dressed up in funky threads from the 60s, entertained the crowd from the surrounding stages, balconies and staircases.

While the Reo Brothers played the iconic She Loves You Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! in the background, the show was just getting started as the host of the night, Cebuana and former Miss Earth Karla Henry – the first Filipina and Asian to win the title – delivered a soulful spiel on darkness, despair and the triumph of hope and joy through trials.

All this comes to pass as Cebuana diva Maria Donna brilliantly sang the crowd favorite Yesterday. Greatly musical, she has played Nala in Hong Kong Disneyland’s production of Lion King and was the grand prize winner of the Shanghai International Music Festival in China.

Global competition title-holders from Dancesport Team Cebu City, who won at the World Youth Champions in Australia, also danced their hearts out with cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive to Beatles melodies performed by On the Cover Band, one of most sought after musicians in the metro. At this point, the crowd was just itching to go on the dance floor.

The mood then became subdued as Jem Cubil, a homegrown talent who was Top 16 in The Voice Philippines, followed with his rendition of the Bisaya ballad Sud-Onga Kung Kita Magminahalay, which translates to Look at Us When We Fall in Love.

After the young man’s sweet moment in the spotlight, hearts raced again as Mandaue City Children’s Choir, which was the Grand Prize Winner of the 36th International Children’s Choir in Halle, Germany, shared their arrangement of Let it Be, Can’t Buy Me Love, All You Need is Love and I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and were joined by Donna and the Reo Brothers as they all sang Here Comes the Sun.

A set of beauties then appeared – the five Festival Queens of the Sinulog Festival through the years, the biggest and grandest festival in the Philippines originally built around the devotion to the Santo Niño.

For the finale, the height of the crescendo was reached as the Lumad Baskanon flooded – literally – into the hall. Hailing from Barangay Basak, San Nicolas, they are an Aliwan Festival of Festivals Hall of Famer and five-time champion of the Sinulog Festival National Street Dance Competition for Free Interpretation Category.

Dancing to I Love Cebu, I Love the Philippines, they enraptured the whole atrium in a vibrating, vibrant and tremendously exciting performance.

It was ingenious how the whole affair was held under an hour with the challenge of accommodating over 300 performers, while all throughout there was video support that cleverly flashed psychedelic visuals and Cebu’s top tourist destinations.

Yet still the crowd wanted more, and the party went on and on, all inspired from the poignant message of hope and resiliency made light and celebrated through the gifts The Beatles have given to humanity.

All the talents then went on stage as even more music soaked the air, confetti showered the jovial affair and everyone danced the night away.

Looks of approval were apparent on the face of the creative director and overall producer of all APEC shows and entertainment Nestor Jardin, who was the former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and now a member of its Board of Trustees. He was assisted by the current CCP artistic director, Chris Millado.

The minds behind it all – Ricky Ballesteros, president of the Sinulog Festival Foundation and event producer, Cebu-based director Junjet Primor and overall choreographer Victor Hao Cuenco – milled around the hall, congratulated profusely for their flawlessly executed affair.

Now, if you ask me what will linger with the delegates, whether it would be the seriousness of the meetings and the debates, or this celebration of all the best Cebu and the Philippines has to offer, I think my answer is quite obvious.