MANILA, Philippines – The world leaders gathered at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Welcome Dinner on Wednesday wearing Barong Tagalog made by Filipino fashion designer Paul Cabral.
 |
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto
and US President Barack Obama. Photo Credit: Reuters/Edgar Su |
Within APEC, it is customary for the host economy to provide Leaders with cultural attires to wear for the annual family photo. Just as when the Philippines first hosted APEC in 1996, the Economic Leaders this year were given barongs to wear during the photo session. Even the women wore variations of the embroidered formal shirt.
MUST READ: Netizens mixed reactions on APEC Summit 2015 go viral online
“Our provision of formal wear for the world leaders is reflective of our renowned hospitality and conveys our people’s warm welcome,” Cabral said.
 |
| Paul Cabral dressed the 21 Economic Leaders. Photo: apec2015.ph |
“As a designer,” he says, “there is no greater honor than seeing one’s creation being worn by the different heads of economies. As a Filipino, it gives you so much dignity and pride.”
Check out some photos of world leaders wearing barong- who do you think gave justice to Cabral's work? (Photo credit: Edgar Su of Reuters).
 |
| APEC Leaders’ Family Photo with Spouses. Photo: apec2015.ph |
 |
| APEC Leaders’ Family Photo with Spouses. Photo: apec2015.ph |
 |
| Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto |
 |
| US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. |
 |
| Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. |
 |
| Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos and his wife Maria Clemencia Rodriguez Munera |
 |
| Chief Executive of Hong Kong Leung Chun-ying and his wife Regina Tong Ching-yi |
 |
| Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, wearing the traditional Philippine "barong", and wife Akie |
 |
| Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. Photo Credit: Nieto's Facebook |
 |
| APEC Leaders’ Family Photo with Spouses. Photo: Mexican Pres. Enrique Nieto's Facebook account |
