Guests Get Creative at Virtual Flores de Mayo Event
02 June 2021 PASAY CITY — Close to 300 live participants and thousands of viewers from around the world came together on 29 May to celebrate a virtual Flores de Mayo from the comfort of their homes. Part of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) cultural diplomacy program titled “Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals,” the event was streamed via the DFA’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The DFA’s online festival was a multi-sensory experience showcasing Filipino creative talent as the episode paraded beautiful gowns crafted by Filipino designers used during Santacruzan, celebrated on the last day of Flores de Mayo. A favorite of many was the unique auditory experience, bringing the sounds of the Flores de Mayo to the participants.
Completing the festive feel was the surprise appearance of 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, arts ambassador of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
“I think it’s such a wonderful initiative for finding a way to celebrate even though we’re facing a certain circumstance that we have now… It’s about really allowing our culture to be seen, our craftsmanship… everything that we’re proud to showcase about our beautiful country really is able to find a spotlight within Flores de Mayo,” said Ms. Gray.
The virtual participants, dubbed as “bisitas”, also had a taste of classic Filipino delicacies such as langka and cashew tarts, banana chips, and polvoron, all part of the Fiesta Filipinas kits obtained from the nearest Philippine Embassy and Consulate General in their area.
Completing the multi-sensory experience is a handicraft activity that brought out the creativity of the participants. Guest expert Gerry Rosales of Paperblooms and host Paolo Abrera gave a step-by-step guide in making gumamela (hibiscus) paper flowers that are ubiquitous in many Flores De Mayo celebrations.
The Fiesta Filipinas project is a unique project that brings Philippine festivals to the world via a virtual multi-sensory format. The online project, organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), will hold its finale on 26 June 2021, featuring the Lami-Lamihan Festival of Basilan in Mindanao. Get the chance to participate in a Philippine festival from wherever you are. Interested participants overseas may contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate General in their area for more details. END
Local wanderer Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario brings the bisitas on a virtual tour of Manila and shows them beautiful gowns created by talented Filipino designers.
Almost 300 participants joined the virtual Flores De Mayo festival, which included a paper flower-making workshop. Kelsea Hopkins from Canada (top right) showed off her creation saying, “I really enjoyed the (paper) flower making (activity). I think what’s really cool about it is that everyone in this call, from all over the world, is making flowers together.”
Participants excitedly unbox their Fiesta Filipinas kit upon receipt from the Embassy or Consulate General. (Photo from @ohthatzeerahal and @cessannmelchor)
Participants actively joined hosts Paolo Abrera and Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario in wearing their paper flowers for a group photo!
NCCA Arts Ambassador and 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray talks to hosts Paolo Abrera and Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario about Flores de Mayo and greets the bisitas who attended the virtual event.