DFA Launches Fiesta Filipinas, a Virtual Celebration of Philippine Festivals
Clockwise from left: Fiesta Filipinas banner, hosts Mr. Paolo Abrera and Ms. Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario, DFA - Office of Strategic Communications and Research Acting Head of Office Ms. Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation Roberto P. Alabado III (DFA-OSCR photo)
PASAY CITY 07 December 2020 - The Department of Foreign Affairs held a press launch today for “Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals” at the DFA hosted by Mr. Paolo Abrera and Ms. Chal Lontoc, with virtual participation of DFA - Office of Strategic Communications and Research Acting Head of Office Ms. Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation Roberto P. Alabado III, and media from the Philippines and other parts of the world.
During the launch, Ms. Banzon-Abalos called the event an innovative approach to promoting Philippine culture, and is a way to bring Philippine culture and celebrations closer to Filipinos’ hearts despite the limitations of the pandemic. On the tourism side, Usec. Alabado underscored the efforts of the Philippine government in ensuring a safe experience for tourists, once Philippine borders finally open up to international tourism, while NCCA Chairman Arsenio Lizaso, in a pre-recorded message, gave a sweeping overview of the deep roots of festivals in Filipino culture.
“Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals” is a six-part, multi-format online event series which will simulate the experience of a festival through a combination of live and pre-recorded videos of the festival location and the previous year’s celebration. Every month from December 2020 to May 2021, one Philippine festival will be featured as a way for locals to introduce their cultural festivity to the world stage.
The first Fiesta Filipinas virtual event will aptly celebrate the Christmas season in the Philippines, with the Giant Lantern Parade (19 December), followed by the Sinulog, Ati-Atihan, and Dinagyang Festivals (30 January 2021), the Panagbenga Festival (27 February 2021), Visita Iglesia (20 March 2021), Lami-Lamihan Festival (24 April 2021), to end with the Flores De Mayo/ Santacruzan (29 May 2021).
A multi-sensory experience, Fiesta Filipinas will be sharing a limited number of kits to some lucky participants from all over the world, for them to be able to join in on the workshops that will be held as part of the virtual fiestas. Those living abroad who may wish to participate may contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate to request their kits. END
Media participants from all over the world (DFA-OSCR photo)