#AfterAPEC: Netizens applaud Philippines’ hosting of APEC 2015

MANILA, Philippines – How did the Philippines fare on its second hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit?

The third week of November saw roads in Metro Manila closed, flights cancelled, and hearts stolen by #APECHotties. (READ: Is #APEC2015 worth the sacrifice? Netizens weigh in)

But netizens say the Philippines rose to the challenge of hosting world leaders of 21 member-economies, who flew in to Manila last week for the regional meeting.  

In our previous hosting back in 1996, social media was not yet in the picture. Nearly two decades later, a lot has changed. (READ: APEC what? An explainer on Manila’s high-profile week)

According to visualization tool Twitter Reverb, a total of 680,000 real-time reports and conversations were recorded on Twitter for the official hashtag of the APEC summit, with netizens sharing their thoughts on the event. (READ: #APEC2015 generates 680,000 tweets)

Now that the summit is over, how do netizens think the Philippines fared as APEC host? What are their expectations after the high-profile week? 

How did we do?

On Rappler’s social media accounts, we asked our readers how well the Philippine government handled the summit. Majority of the respondents thought the country did well in managing the event.

 

 

But the comments are mixed. Facebook user Josh Garcia shared his thoughts: “For the delegates, we did good. For the people, we were beyond terrible.”

Toni Estrada Etrata kept his cool despite the difficulties caused by the road closures. “I also have my own share of a ‘walk to remember’ but overall, I am pleased with how the government managed the event. There were inconveniences but let us also look at the brighter side of the story.” 

MovePH’s poll on Twitter tells the same story:

It’s the last day of #APEC2015! What rating would you give the country for hosting APEC this year?

— MovePH (@MovePH) November 19, 2015

Commending the event, Aurora Pijuan tweets:

@MovePH a snappy salute to the organisers especially the security group for the tremendous task they pulled off securing so many dignitaries

— Aurora Pijuan (@aupijuan) November 19, 2015

 

Cautious optimism

When asked about their thoughts after the summit, netizens are generally optimistic about its impact on Filipinos.

Facebook user Don Pidoy writes: “After APEC, I wanna see the positive side of us Filipinos wherever we may be.”

“Continuity of the improvements that were made. Kaya naman linisin ang Metro Manila. Dedication lang kahit walang bisita. (We can clean up Metro Manila. We just have to be dedicated to it, even without having visitors),” writes Henry Tablizo.

Twitter users also had a more positive reaction to the event:

@rapplerdotcom a never too late Philippines

— incess-t (@epinephrinecess) November 20, 2015

@MovePH a snappy salute to the organisers especially the security group for the tremendous task they pulled off securing so many dignitaries

— Aurora Pijuan (@aupijuan) November 19, 2015

 

@MovePH @rapplerdotcom ..in a scale of 1 to 10 is 10! very well planned! very well protected! very well synchronized! JOB WELL DONE MR PRES!

— chang yuen (@changyuen14) November 19, 2015

@MovePH @rapplerdotcom from scale of 1 to 10. It's 10. #APEC2015.

— Shenna (@Anne_sh) November 19, 2015

The 2015 APEC Summit is done – what are your thoughts? Could we have done more? Are the inconveniences worth it? Write about it in X! – Noel Lopez/Rappler.com

Noel Lopez is a Rappler intern.