PHL Embassy Highlights Filipino Love Songs in ASEAN Day Celebration

Ambassador Charles Jose (second from right) joins performers (from left) Arnel Rubiato, Jennifer Alferez and Lipraxes Jumawan in front of the Philippine exhibit after their performance for the ASEAN Day 2017 celebrations.

22 August 2017 KUALA LUMPUR — Mallgoers and guests at the Suria KLCC Mall were treated to a medley of Filipino love songs as the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur showcased Filipino musicality at the ASEAN Day 2017 celebration of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on August 14.

Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles C. Jose joined guests from the diplomatic corps, ASEAN missions and mallgoers to witness Kuala Lumpur-based Filipino artists Lipraxedes Jumawan and Arnel Rubiato and the Embassy’s Jennifer Alferez perform a medley of Filipino love songs, ranging from the harana (serenade) to the contemporary songs of today.

Messrs. Jumawan and Rubiatio and Ms. Alferez had guests and mallgoers take a trip down memory lane and showcased the Filipino romantic in songs such as O Ilaw, Katakataka, Irog-Irog, Ewan, Please be Careful with My Heart, Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko, and the perennial favorite Pangako Sa’Yo.  The trio delighted the audience, who whipped out their camera phones to video their performance, while the Filipinos in the crowd sang along with them.

The performance was the Embassy’s contribution to the event, which also featured an exhibit of national costumes of ASEAN member-countries.  The Philippine exhibit included a blue mestiza dress and the barong. 

Other performances include cultural dances from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia, video clips from Singapore and Cambodia, a puppet show from Indonesia and a martial arts exhibition from Thailand. 

The event was opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other MFA officials.

For more information, visit the Embassy’s website at http://www.philembassykl.org.my or the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PHinMalaysia/. END

The performers in action. Mallgoers were treated to a medley of Filipino love songs.