And so the first leg of the APEC meetings has come to a close. Whew! Cebu was in APEC fever for such a time, I could not think of anything to talk about. But let's face it, in one way or another we were all affected by the on-going meetings that took place in our province.
From streets that were rid of public utility vehicles, traffic from delegates taking tours and businesses that seem to work double time just to meet the demands of the foreign guests. Being at the outside (literally) of all these meetings, it amazes me how we could work in accordance with one another because of an international event. I have come to realize that indeed we can follow through with rules set by our own fellowmen, I hope it isn't just up to these meetings.
When I was invited to the opening of the APEC activity center at the Provincial Capitol, an elderly woman who was probably in her 50s asked a mind-boggling question to the panel of speakers who were before us. She asked, "How could she explain the importance of APEC to her elementary grandson?" It was hard, really hard.
The core of the APEC is very technical in its sense that a layman could not easily understand. Others are even aghast at the fact that their meetings could not be covered by the media nor talked about in public. They are meetings that purely confidential in nature. Who could probably grasp an idea or two along the way? But let's put it this way, what we have right now is probably because of APEC. You see, free trade was born because of the cooperation. Our region would have been blinded by the superpower countries in the west if it weren't for the 21 economies that strived for a better future.
It also couldn't be denied Asia on the rise. Slowly by slowly, our economies are biting back the glory and fame it once had before. China, for instance, is positioning itself to become a powerful country in terms of economy. They have stripped themselves of the traditional system so that they could welcome the capitalist ways paving a stronger economy for them. Their population has gifted them with superb manpower that labors on thousands of multi-million corporations around the world. The future for Asia is bright and from that standpoint, it is much clearer that I could have even imagined.
These are meetings that we should not get our noses into but be aware of its effects to us, and to our country. Having the benefit is not the point now, but how it is eventually shaping the future of the countries. The APEC meetings are long terms but I could only tell you that representatives from one country are sharing their best practices and procedure so that others may learn and replicate. If you ask what's in it for the Philippines in being part of the APEC, you will only appreciate it if you see the progress. Businesses and real estate is booming. It's a total wonder, but of course there are downsides but that's a different story.
There is another week for the APEC meetings before the organizers will fly to Ilo-Ilo and then to Manila. That means another grueling week adjusting to our visitors plus heightened security. Well, I don't mind. I like the orderliness of how things are being run. It feels like we are adapting to having them around. Can't we be like this for good? If only we could have this kind of attitude, I wouldn't be surprised to seeing the Cebu on top tourist destinations.