Cebu, a showcase for the Philippines

ACTAN = The last time I was in Cebu was in July 2023 to cover the round of meetings and conferences for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Conference.

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

It was held in Cebu in the run-up to the annual APEC Leaders’ Summit hosted by the Philippines. In May this year, Cebu is again picked as one of the major venues of the Leaders’ Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

As the host country and chairman of this year’s ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) is the presiding chairman of his fellow heads of states. East Timor joins for the first time the ASEAN member-states since this regional bloc was established 58 years ago. More popularly known as Timor-Leste, it becomes the 11th member-state of the ASEAN.

PBBM will be the keynote speaker in the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings on Jan. 28-29 to be held at the newly built Mactan Expo Center in the Newtown in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. The Mactan Expo specifically sprung from the drawing board more than two years ago while the Philippines was still gearing up to host the ASEAN Summit. Harold Geronimo, head of public relations and media affairs of Megaworld Corp., recalled it was PBBM himself who led the laying of the time-capsule at its construction site in April 2022.

“And the President himself will also be the one to inaugurate the Mactan Expo this week,” the Megaworld spokesman announced. On that day, the Mactan Expo will hold its maiden international event as it formally opens its doors to business, host city Lapu-lapu Mayor Cindy Chan proudly noted.

Malacañang confirmed PBBM is also set to lead the opening ceremonies for the ASEAN Travel Exchange that will precede the ASEAN Tourism Ministerial meeting to be presided over by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco as chairperson in behalf of the Philippine government.