3 March 2015 – Fiesta season came early to Manila as some of the most celebrated Philippine festivals graced the halls of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to mark the launching of the exhibit “Philippine Fiestas & Festivals: Photography by Donald C. Tapan,” today, March 03.
The dazzling images and joyous music of the Ati-atihan, Masskara, Sinulog, Panagbenga and Higantes festivals energized the crowd composed of DFA and NCCA officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the press, and other special guests.
“Philippine Fiestas & Festivals: Photography by Donald C. Tapan” is the first of several cultural projects that would be launched this year in Manila to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-China relations. It is part of the series of traveling exhibits on Philippine culture being developed jointly by the DFA and the NCCA to be exhibited in the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in China, Hong Kong and Macau.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Madame Gretchen del Rosario, DFA Undersecretary Evan P. Garcia, DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe M. de Leon, Mrs. Armita B. Rufino of the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. (FHFI), and the featured artist, Filipino photographer Donald C.Tapan.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr. Tapan led the guests on a guided tour of the exhibit.
One of the program highlights was the launch of the Philippines-China@40 website (URL: www.philippine-exhibit.com) that contains a diverse collection of images, videos and other materials showcasing the cultural and historical ties between the Filipino and Chinese nations.
“We believe that this year is an opportunity to further strengthen the Philippines’cultural ties with China and promote greater people-to-people understanding between our two countries,” said Assistant Secretary Calaguian-Cruz in her welcome remarks.
Ambassador Zhao Jianhua traced the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and China which goes further than 40 years of formal diplomatic relations. The Ambassador stated, “I believe that Philippines-China relations have served, and should continue to serve, the interests of our two peoples.”
NCCA Chairman de Leon emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges, noting that “In cultural relations, we open our hearts to one another.”
The exhibit was made possible through the invaluable assistance and support of the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. It is available for viewing until March 10 at the DFA Lobby, DFA Main Building, Pasay City. END