The Glamarazzi

The Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 12^th SUMMIT will be held in the Queen City of the South this December 11-14 and suddenly the city has new asphalted roads, newly fenced Capitol, and new routes to get to our offices because the government suddenly handed out new maps for the people to use. Major roads are going to be closed which also means that shuttle services will be provided for people to get to their destinations. We were advised by Admin that from the 11^th to the 14^th, we will be serviced by these shuttle services or walk from Ayala to get to IT Park. Lovely. No one is to call in sick at that time or it will merit consequences. Note: love letters.

Since the Philippines will be hosting this summit for the second time since 1987, the city of Cebu has been harboring this sense of pride for ever holding a major event for ASEAN. Guests from all over the Asia will take part in the summit and so are very important people: i.e. Prime ministers of this and president’s of that. Our own Gloria Arroyo will be the presiding officer, and Ban Ki-moon, the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, will also be present. In fact, sixteen world leaders have already confirmed their attendance in the summit namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.

The venue had always been at Shangri-La, Mactan  and still on-going construction of the Cebu International Convention Center  which was rumored to be finished on November 28. Speculations arose on its completion and people had been betting that the CICC wouldn’t be done by the time the SUMMIT takes place, thus, making the Shang the major venue for the event. Although Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia imposed the CICC to be done before the 28^th, it is without any doubt that Shang will win the juggling of the venues hands down. (Come on.. look at it…)

The summit aims to integrate the member countries of the ASEAN and bridge the gap among the members to catalyze this aim. I know the Summit will be productive. I’m betting that on the millions of moolah the government has spend to beautify the city.

For the meantime, let us enjoy the smorgasboard of men from different countries, eh? Teehee.