PH Embassy, FilCom in Jordan Celebrate PH Independence, Nat’l Heritage Month
Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West with guests of honor and ASEAN Ambassadors in Amman. (Amman PE Photo)
AMMAN 25 May 2018 – In celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence and National Heritage Month, the Philippine Embassy in Amman and the members of the Filipino community in Jordan held “Fiesta Philippines 2018” at Wakalat St., Amman, Jordan on 11 May in cooperation with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM).
The event was attended by thousands of guests, including Jordanian Government officials and members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Filipino and Jordanian communities. The guests of honor were Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh (represented by Engineer Ibrahim Hashim from GAM), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (MFAE) Director of Asia and Oceania Affairs, Maher Tarawneh, and MFAE Director of Protocol, Sami Ghousheh.
Fiesta Philippines aimed to showcase one of the most unique facets of Filipino culture, the Philippine Festival, by bringing it directly to the Jordanian community. Wakalat St. was decorated with bunting, Philippine flags, and flowers, which created an atmosphere of a fiesta celebration in the Philippines. The event started with a parade, with the guests of honor heading the parade, and trailed by the performers. In commemoration of the month of May, Santacruzan was also included in the parade with six Reynas. The Filipino community introduced one festival each from Luzon (Panagbenga), Visayas (Pintados), and Mindanao (Hermosa) to the Jordanian public.
Several booths were put up to showcase Philippine cuisine and various native Filipino products while games such as basagang palayok, pabitin, and sack race were played in keeping with the fiesta atmosphere. Filipino food such as chicken adobo, empanada, pansit canton, lumpia, leche flan, and puto were also served during the event.
In addition, Tinikling, Singkil, Cariñosa, traditional Cordillera dances, and modern dances were performed by members of the Filipino community. Kundiman and OPM songs were also performed during the program, showcasing the artistic talents of the community.
The event was well received by the public especially the Jordanian community who witnessed Philippine culture first-hand. It also gave an opportunity for the Filipino community to showcase their artistic and cultural talents, reinvigorating their pride and love for the Philippines. END
Some of the perfomances are Hermosa, Panagbenga, Pintados Festivals. (Amman PE Photo)
Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West (3rd from left) and Consul General Maria Agnes Cervantes (2nd from left) joins the performers for the Singkil.
For more information, visit www.ammanpe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy-amman.net or https://www.facebook.com/ammanpe.