Luxe, Innovative and Sustainable Products Feature Take Center Stage at the Geneva 2023 Independence Day Celebration
The 2023 Independence Day Celebration in Geneva featuring Philippine products. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA 05 July 2023 – The Philippine Missions in Geneva presented a wide selection of high-quality Philippine products, representing the geographic breadth and unique indigenous endowments of the archipelago, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence.
The Philippines took center stage at the terrace garden of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which serves as the seat for global trade rule-making. The celebration, held on 20 June 2023, drew more than 400 dignitaries, diplomats, business executives and local officials. Among the distinguished guests who attended the event were WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, WTO Deputy Directors General Angela Ellard and Jean-Marie Paugam, former Attorney- General of Botswana and current Chair of the WTO General Council, Ambassador Athaliah Molokomme.
The Philippines was able to feature organic and single-sourced chocolates from Davao, Samar, Cebu and Bohol through partnerships with boutique manufacturers: Malagos Agriventures Corp., Chicago-based Chocs n Boxes, Bohol Chocolate Farm, and Tablea Chocolate of Cebu.
For many guests, it was also their first exposure to the indigenous and unique purple hue of ube (purple yam), through the creative concoctions of Distileria Barako’s mixologists. Distileria Barako featured the Ube Cream Fiesta, Pag-Ube sa Kanto, and Mr. Ongpin original cocktail recipes, which maximized the flavors from their line featuring ube cream liqueur, gayuma liqueur, agimat gin, and agimat at ugat vodka. Beyond their quality, guests were impressed to learn about the product origins and the relationships the companies had cultivated with local communities and small-scale farmers. Mr. Paolo Enrile, Distileria Barako’s EU Head for Sales and Marketing, noted that his company itself sources its ingredients from farmers from several islands such as Negros, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro and Bacolod.
Maximizing the summer weather, guests were able to cool down with a bespoke “halo-halo” buffet or by doing the traditional “tagay” with ice cold San Miguel Pale Pilsen beer. Guests, including many Ambassadors and senior officials, were seen enjoying the grand Lake Geneva view with cigars in hand, courtesy of Tabacalera Incorporada, the first and oldest cigar company in Asia.
Guests were also interested to learn more about the indigenous and sustainable materials that have been harnessed by Filipinos for generations. The Philippine Fiber Industry and Development Authority (Philfida) exhibited abaca, sisal, rami, buri, piña (pineapple fiber), and silk materials that have been transformed into wearables and decorative items. Dignitaries were also surprised to learn that Ananas-Anam, a UK-based startup, is sustainably sourcing from the Philippines pineapple fiber to produce “Piñatex” vegan leather for major international fashion labels.
In his remarks, Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, said that the Philippines “remains committed to working collaboratively with all WTO members to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system, promote sustainable development, address climate change, close gender and digital gaps, and foster an inclusive and resilient global economy.” He further noted that “over the years, the Philippines has made significant strides in advancing its economic potentials, embracing globalization, and integrating itself into the global marketplace. Our dynamic and diverse economy, coupled with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and advocacy for MSMEs has positioned us as a reliable trading partner and a hub for trade and investment in Asia-Pacific.”
As the festivities continued through the evening, guests were able to embrace the atmosphere of the Filipino “kundiman” at the WTO’s Salle des Pas Perdus through the hands of seasoned musicians Michael Lao Cu (piano), Solveig Breger (piano) and Mikko Pablo (cello). The Filipino Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs and the traditional song of serenade in the Philippines. The trio performed four Filipino classics: “Pandangguhan”, “Romance”, “First Nocturne”, and “Souvenir de Filipinas.” The four hands “Pandangguhan” piece was inspired by the Philippine folk dance Pandanggo which also evolved from Fandango, a Spanish folk dance. Pandanggo dance involves snapping of fingers and stomping of feet to the beats of the accompanying music. The second piece, “Romance”, written by Philippine National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro in 1998, witnessed its European premier at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels by Michael Cu and Mikko Pablo in October 2018. END
Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN and Other International Organizations Ambassador Evan Garcia (left), WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (middle), and Philippine Permanent Representative to the WTO Manuel Teehankee (right) during the Geneva 2023 Independence Day celebration. (Geneva PM photo)
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee delivers his remarks before the crowd. (Geneva PM photo)
Distileria Barako’s ube cream liqueur and organic and single-sourced chocolates from Davao, Samar, Cebu and Bohol. (Geneva PM photo)
Guests cool down with “halo-halo” (left) and by doing the traditional “tagay” with ice cold San Miguel Pale Pilsen beer (right). (Geneva PM photo)
The Filipino “kundiman” at the WTO’s Salle des Pas Perdus led by seasoned musicians Michael Lao Cu (piano), Solveig Breger (piano) and Mikko Pablo (cello). (Geneva PM photo)
For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva/ or https://www.instagram.com/phingeneva/.