RP'S GMA, NZ'S CLARK ONLY 2 APEC WOMEN LEADERS LEFT
SANTIAGO, CHILE (VIA PLDT), November 22, 2004 (STAR) By Marichu Villanueva - Where once there were three, now there are only two female heads of state at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit: President Arroyo and New Zealand President Helen Clark.
The number of female heads of state of the 21-member APEC was trimmed after former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri lost her re-election bid last month.
The husbands of Mrs. Arroyo and Clark were the only two males among the APEC spouses and they had their own official schedule of activities while their wives attended the two-day annual APEC summit meetings here.
Mexican President Vicente Fox, who hosted last year’s APEC summit, did not attend this year’s meeting for unknown reasons.
Mrs. Arroyo changed outfits at least three times yesterday for her three official activities, beginning with her bilateral talks with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, where she wore a red business dress.
At the APEC Leaders’ Retreat luncheon meeting later in the afternoon, Mrs. Arroyo changed into an avocado green coat dress as she and the other APEC leaders were met by Lagos. The male APEC leaders wore coats and ties.
Mrs. Arroyo’s well-coifed hair was matched by two pearl brooches, a single strand of champagne pearls and matching earrings that were heirlooms from her late mother.
Her third change of attire was for the dinner and cultural show for the APEC leaders and their spouses. She wore a red orange maxi dress accented by a single ruby brooch and matching ruby earrings.
The two lady presidents will join their male colleagues in wearing the Chilean native attire called chamantos, which they will wear for today’s group photo.
Woven of silk threads and wool, the chamanto is a decorative, reversible poncho. One side is dark and used during the day, while the other side is light and worn at night. Both sides have the same intricate designs.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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