Tropical Paradise: APEC Welcome Dinner Venue Transforms Into a Huge Outdoor Garden

What was once an indoor arena typically used in sporting events was transformed into a lush green wonderland on Wednesday night for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner which will be hosted by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III.

The welcome dinner, held at the Mall of Asia (MIA) Arena in Pasay, Manila concludes the APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit held afternoon the same day. It was an event attended by 19 APEC-member heads of states.

After the dinner, leaders are expected to return to leave the Philippines the next day (Nov. 19, Thursday).

The set design for the MOA Arena where the dinner will be held was handled by renowned designer and APEC creative director Kenneth Cobonpue. He is also responsible for designing souvenir tokens and special chairs for the 19 economic leaders.

Just hours before the welcome dinner began, Cobonpue shared photos of the set design, which had a garden-like atmosphere, via Instagram.

He revealed that the inspiration for the set design which was to “transform the whole space into a huge outdoor garden.”

Evident in the set design were the floating anahaw leaf-inspired lamps, grass-like carpets, Yoda chairs inspired by blades of grass and mini rice terraces at the center of the round table where the economic leaders are expected to sit.

While his original Yoda chair do not have armrests nor wheels, the ones to be used by the economic leaders had both.

Conbopue said that he designed the chairs to swivel because the program was going to happen 360 degrees and that it was important for the leaders to follow the program.

Expected to entertain the economic leaders and other guests are international singers Charice, Jessica Sanchez, apl.de.ap and Asia’s Got Talent champion El Gamma Penumbra. (PNA) RMA/ANP