Filipino talents wow audience at APEC leaders’ dinner

Filipino culture through food, songs, and dance takes center stage during the APEC Leaders’ Meeting Welcome Dinner at the Coral Way Lobby of the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday (November 18). (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Filipino performers took center stage on Wednesday where they showcased Filipino talent to economic leaders, trade and foreign ministers, and delegates of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Word-renowned singers like Apl de Ap, Jessica Sanchez, Charice, Arnel Pineda, and Jed Madela belted out songs on stage. Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera sang in duet. Cecile Licad played the piano. Charice with the Philippine Madrigal Singers sang “Para sa Bayan” (For the Country) while Apl de Ap and Reynan Del-Anay, contestant from The Voice Kids Philippines, sang Black Eyed Peas’ “Where is the Love.”

Asia’s Got Talent winner El Gamma Penumbra impressed the audience with their shadow play focused on Filipinos’ hospitality and hard work.

Paolo Valenciano and Douglas Nierras choreographed the dance productions while Louie Ocampo took charge of musical direction. Gina Godinez is the genius behind the creative concept.

A taste of Filipino cuisine

The guests were feasted on Filipino cuisine such as bistek manilenya, ensalada tagala, maja blanca moderna, yamang daga tinola and a lot more. The delicacies served were prepared by Glenda Barretto of Via Mare and Margarita “Gaita” Fores of Cibo.

Bistek Manilenya

Ensalada Tagala

Maja Blanca Moderna

Yamang Dagat Tinola

“We (presented) what is classic, national in taste like flavors of adobo, tinola, kesong puti, itlog na maalat,” Barretto was quoted as saying in a Sun Star report.

“Tita Glenda has always been the master, premier in presenting our cuisine to a global stage. Combining the two of us…speaks of two different eras, but then we’re delivering one big message about what’s great about our country,”  Fores said in the same report.

(All photos are from Twitter)