CO Puerto Princesa Celebrates National Culture Consciousness Week and Cultural Communities Week

Ms. Mayra Espino (leftmost), Ms. Efrel Pinero (2nd from left) and  Mr. Merwin Conde (extreme right) in traditional costumes of the Molbog tribe in the municipality of Balabac presented a talk show featuring indigenous cultures in Southern Palawan. They were joined by Messrs. Jelbert Bustane  and Mr. Pacis Bustane, CO Puerto Princesa’s security guards who are true-blooded Palaw’ans from Brooke’s Point, Palawan.

PUERTO PRINCESA 19 July 2024 - In celebration of the National Culture Consciousness Week and Cultural Communities Week, DFA-Consular Office (CO) Puerto Princesa held a week-long heritage awareness event on 08-12 July 2024 entitled “Amos, Tara-sa Palawan Mapamasyar Kita” (in Cuyunon language meaning “Come on, let’s go around Palawan”) -  an Overview of Palawan’s Cultural Heritage.  The event highlighted Palawan’s natural attractions, history, and the rich cultural heritage of its indigenous peoples.

This initiative was organized to equip CO Puerto Princesa employees with a comprehensive understanding of Palawan’s history and culture for a deeper appreciation of their beautiful island home, thus, enabling them to promote their Province more confidently to tourists and other visitors.

Throughout the five-day event, CO personnel were divided in groups and were assigned a cluster of municipalities from north to south of Palawan to showcase in creatively organized group presentations. The presentations included video clips, tasting of native food products, lectures, and talk shows that brought out the artistic talents and innovative skills of CO personnel.

Aside from featuring the municipalities’ historical backgrounds, tourist attractions, arts and crafts, food products, customs and traditions of their indigenous communities, the presenters also discussed the current environmental and social issues and threats that go alongside the robust commercial and tourism development in Palawan after having been recognized several times as the No. 1 Island in the World.  With a heightened awareness of such issues, CO personnel are encouraged to become proactive advocates of environmental protection and cultural preservation.  

As an incentive for CO personnel, Head of Consular Office (HCO) Liza Jane V. Estalilla awarded prizes to three outstanding group presentations. She also treated them with guinataang bilo-bilo or binignit and gave them a brief background about this famous native merienda dish.

In closing, HCO Estalilla thanked her staff for their keen interest, enthusiasm, and hard work that made this project a success. In response, CO personnel expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the wealth of knowledge they gained and the enjoyable bonding experience that also served as a pleasant break from their daily work routine as Home Based Personnel (HBPs). END 

Mesdames Dannah Rachel Pilpil and Austin Rose Tandog serving native delicacies of Bagoong Manamsi , fish paste served with boiled bananas that is a much sought-after specialty from the municipality of Cagayancillo, Cuyo lato,  seaweeds with calamansi juice dressing,  and Boti-boti sweet rice puffs made from glutinous rice from the island municipality of Cuyo.   


The outstanding presenters of CO Princesa’s  “Amos, Tara-sa Palawan Mapamasyar Kita” Contest showing off their prizes. From left: Ms. Jayra Angelique J. Basil, HCO Liza Jane V. Estalilla, Ms. Austin Rose M. Tandog, Ms. Dannah Rachel C. Pilpil, and Ms. Efrel P. Pinero.


CO Puerto Princesa personnel pose for a souvenir photo as they successfully concluded their National Culture Consciousness Week and Cultural Communities Week celebration.