MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Lima, Peru Friday afternoon for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, with a vow to focus the attention of rich nations to the poor.

"This afternoon, we leave for the APEC leader's meeting in Peru. We are optimistic as we leave about our future and the hope, optimism, and resilience of the Filipino people, because we are revitalized by what we see here," Arroyo said in a speech before her departure, as she switched on the University of the Philippines-Ayala Land Techno Hub in Quezon City.

"We will express to the other leaders of APEC the hope of our people that in seeking common ground on ways to coordinate assistance to our economies, we must do so in a way that puts the interest of the poor and the dispossessed ahead of the rich and the powerful," she said.

Arroyo and her delegation departed from the Centennial Terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where she was given military honors, onboard a chartered Philippine Airlines flight.

Sending her off were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces chief General Alexander Yano, Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa and Army chief Lieutenant General Victor Ibrado.

The APEC Leaders’ Summit will run from Saturday to Sunday after which Arroyo will go to Colombia for an official visit.