14 February 2012 - The Philippine Embassy in Mexico and some members of the Filipino community in Mexico City presented a cultural show at the Instituto de Arte in Real del Monte, State of Hidalgo on Friday afternoon, February 03.
The venue is one of the 17 campuses of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH) which organized the event. The main campus is located in the nearby town of Pachuca, Hidalgo.
The 30-minute presentation included a fashion show of typical Philippine costumes, traditional dances such as the Cariñosa and La Jota Moncadeña, a serenade of Kataka-taka, Pamulinawen, Eres Tu, El Vendedor & I Can´t Smile without You, and the finale a song and dance Baila Esta Cumbia performed by Jeane Kawakami and back up dancers Khristine Talana and Niccie Cruz.
During the speech after the cultural presentation, Philippine Ambassador to Mexico George B. Reyes highlighted the close historical and cultural ties between the Philippines and Mexico. He recalled that Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho decided in 1945 to send the Mexican Air Force 201st Squadron to participate in the campaign to liberate the Philippines. He added that he hoped that some students of UAEH would visit the Philippines either as tourists or as part of an exchange program in the same way that Filipino students could travel to Mexico.
In response to the presentation of the Embassy, the folkloric ballet ensemble of the Instituto de Arte performed some traditional dances like Jarabe Tapatio in their colorful Mexican costumes.
The University awarded certificates of recognition to the Embassy and to Mesdames Jeane Kawakami, Khristine Talana and Rory Sutcclife of the Filipino community. END