Exotic cultural treats await delegates to APEC meet in Albay

Bicol Express (Wikipedia)

LEGAZPI CITY — Unique and exotic cultural treats await the guests and delegates to the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Albay on Dec. 8-9 this year.

Led by the economic ministers and top officials of the 21 APEC member countries, the ISOM constitutes the opening salvo of the series of ministerial and technical meetings leading to the 2015 APEC Leaders Summit the Philippines will host in November next year. It will set the tone of the entire summit. About 10 of the APEC meetings will be held here.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the 2015 APEC meetings would provide the province, the country’s newest and fastest growing tourism destination, with a rare opportunity to showcase its tourism and cultural wealth.

The treats for the delegates and guests include a “world-class welcome party”, anchored on Albay’s cultural character and touristic assets, and a string of cultural shows with at least 1,000 performers, all the way from the airport to dinners and off conference activities.

The Dec. 8-9 ISOM coincides with the opening salvo of Albay’s Karangahan Green Christmas, a month-long festival “that integrates Christian tradition with timely imperatives; disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, indigenous resources, and endearment and pride.”

Chosen as one among the few APEC hosts, Albay was picked for its “vitality and dynamism in development despite the Pacific risks”. The province is United Nations Global Model for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation.

Salceda said the “integral culture of survival, faith, and celebration is portrayed in Albay’s giant Christmas Tree at the Penaranda Park in front of the Albay Provincial Capitol. The Christmas icon is made of camote, Albay being the country’s second biggest producer of the root crop.

APEC guests, he said, would have a taste of Fiesta Culinaria during their short stay in Albay, the centerpiece of the Karangahan Festival, with a sumptuous offering of native cuisines and specialties cooked by local chefs and restaurateurs.

Albay’s ethnic cuisines and delicacies — Bicol Express, Pinangat and Pili candies, and the likes — already known and well-loved in many parts of the world, occupy the centerstage of Albay’s rich cultural heritage, he said.

Albay is the country’s fastest growing tourist destination in 2013 with a 66 percent growth, based on records of the Department of Tourism. Mayon Volcano and the Cagsawa Ruins are among its leading tourism come-ons.