‘Apec hotties’ set hearts racing

MANILA: Forget about trade or security – the more pressing question for Filipinos as their country hosts an annual summit of Asia-Pacific leaders is: Team Trudeau or Team Nieto?
Social media were abuzz today over who was the best-looking politician at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders' summit: new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Netizens hailed the #APECHotties battle as "the bright side of Apec" and "probably the only good thing" about the meeting.
The contest has replaced gripes about traffic woes caused by road closures as the government tightened security in Manila.
"Well at least we found something 'fun' in #APEC2015 despite heavy Manila traffic," tweeted Sahara Villanueva. "Prez Nieto somehow resembles George Clooney."
Felipe Jocano Jr, an anthropology professor at the University of the Philippines, said the Apec Hotties debate shows that Filipinos "look at the brighter side of things".
"But there's something wrong when Filipinos go gaga over a leader who they consider a hottie, without looking at his record of governance and leadership in his country," he added on Facebook.
Some netizens were not tickled by the buzz.
"The Philippines is receiving threats from (the Islamic State) yet they're talking about #APECHotties," Michael Clifford lamented on Twitter.
"Aren't there babes?" a disappointed Ran Parangan complained, in a reference to the lack of female leaders in Manila.
There are only two women among Apec leaders – South Korean President Park Geun Hye and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. – dpa