29 November 2016 — The Philippine Embassy in Singapore featured samples of Filipino cuisine and music at the 2016 ASEAN Gala Night held at the Shangri-la Hotel in Singapore on November 23.

The Laotian Embassy spearheaded this year’s annual cultural event, coinciding with Lao PDR’s chairmanship of ASEAN. As is traditionally done, ASEAN missions put up booths to show the diverse and colourful cultures and culinary specialties that help forge the unique ASEAN identity.

The Philippine booth, bearing a fiesta theme, was adorned with capiz Christmas parol, kiping,  masskara, Filipiniana dolls, and miniature jeepneys.

This year’s participation of the Philippine Embassy in the gala night is unique in several ways.

First, the food and beverage displays were provided by Philippine companies and local companies that promote Philippine products. In particular, the Manhattan Fish Market in Singapore provided the chicken adobo and sisig bangus, two Filipino favourites, as part of their Masarap platter promotion from October to November.  Saranggani Bay bangus canapés and Malagos chocolates were personally served by Prime Food Marketing owners Benjamin, Chrisslyn and Adeline Ong. The different flavours of Carmen’s Best ice cream provided by FORM (lifestyle brand) were also a crowd-pleaser. Meanwhile, Bleeding Heart Rum Company’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Mr. Andrew Garciaand Business Development Director, Mr. Steve Mills, representing Don Papa Rum, provided miniature Don Papa Rum give-aways and hosted a cocktail bar by La Maison Du Whisky.

Second, the Philippine booth was graced with the presence of a high-ranking official from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo,  who attended the gala as a special guest of the Embassy. He was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales and other Embassy personnel. Undersecretary Manalo was in Singapore to deliver a lecture on the Philippines’ priorities of the 2017 ASEAN Chairmanship.

The evening was also made even more special by the performance of Singapore-based Filipino vocalist Mr. Mark Anthony Canios, who crooned the popular hits “Anak” and “Beautiful Girl.”

The Philippine booth also provided Lucky Draw prizes including two (2) round trip tickets (SG-MNL-PAL Domestic Destination-MNL SG) from Philippine Airlines, a set of commissioned Coco-wood Jars from Ms. Digna Ryan of Spirit of Asia and a photo (in frame) by Pinoygraphers.

In 2017, it will be the Philippine Embassy in Singapore’s turn to organize the ASEAN gala event. END