Mall of Asia Arena transforms into dinner hall fit for world leaders

(Updated 6:20 p.m.) Hours before the welcome dinner for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders on Wednesday, industrial designer and the event's creative director Kenneth Cobonpue provided a glimpse of how the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City has been transformed into a dinner hall fit for the most powerful heads of state in the region.

In a series of Instagram posts, Cobonpue showed his vision of "nature and sama-sama" that the 21 APEC economic leaders will see on Wednesday night after the Economic Leaders' Meeting.

 

Gary V leads the prayer before final rehearsals. #APEC2015

A photo posted by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue) on

Nov 17, 2015 at 9:11pm PST

The Mall of Asia Arena has been turned into a "garden" with grass-like carpets and a mini rice terraces in the middle of the leaders' round table. The leaders will be seated on chairs inspired by blades of grass, which are an upgrade from Cobonpue's iconic Yoda chair design.

 

Lights off five hours before the doors open to the warmest reception in the world. #APEC2015

A photo posted by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue) on

Nov 17, 2015 at 8:51pm PST

Cobonpue also installed two dozen gigantic anahaw lamps that will slowly change in color.

 

Stage in the middle and floating lamps all set for tonight's event. Now all I need are my Yoda chairs around the table. #apec2015 #kennethcobonpue

A photo posted by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue) on

Nov 17, 2015 at 11:06am PST

The Mall of Asia Arena also tweeted a sneak peek of the red carpet.

Sneak peek of the red carpet setup outside #MOAArena for the #APEC2015! pic.twitter.com/mIOhF8U3bh

— MALL OF ASIA ARENA (@MOAArena) November 18, 2015

Singers such as Charice, Jessica Sanchez, and apl.de.ap as well as Asia's Got Talent champion El Gamma Penumbra are expected to entertain the economic leaders and the other guests.

 

Rehearsals going on with El Gamma Penumbra at MOA, winners of the first season of Asia's Got Talent. #apec2015 #elgammapenumbra

A photo posted by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue) on

Nov 17, 2015 at 6:42am PST

Cobonpue also created tokens to be given out to the dinner guests: brass sculptures encased in glass.

 

My design for the official Presidential token called Sama-sama is a sculptural narrative of APEC's cultural, social and political diversity, which represents unity, partnership and cooperation among the member economies. The detailed figures are made of brass and finished in gold, silver and copper symbolizing different races, linked to each other as they ascend to the top. Each glass-covered token is housed in a hand-woven metal and Buri (palm spine) carrying case with brass handles and clasp. #APEC2015 #designphilippines #kennethcobonpue

A photo posted by Kenneth Cobonpue (@kennethcobonpue) on

Nov 13, 2015 at 4:20am PST

— Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News