PHL Consulate General in Vancouver Joins “A Taste of Southeast Asia” Event at the University of British Columbia
From right to left: Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Consul Arlene T. Magno, Ms. Lorraine M. Espiritu, Ms. Jeanie-vi S. Llonora, and Ms. Abigale P. Oira participate at “A Taste of Southeast Asia” event at UBC.
31 January 2018 VANCOUVER – For the 5th consecutive year, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver participated in the Southeast Asian cultural event organized by the UBC Centre for Southeast Asia Research in collaboration with the different UBC Southeast Asian Student Associations, held at the Great Hall, Student Nest, UBC on 26 January. Formerly dubbed, “Of Rice and Roots,” the event was renamed this year to “A Taste of Southeast Asia,” to reflect a change in format that previously highlighted only the culinary attractions of the region to now also include other aspects of the countries’ culture such as performances and sports.
Between 200 to 250 guests visited this much anticipated evening event at the UBC where the resident ASEAN Consulates (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) showcased their countries’ handicrafts and tourist attractions, provided information materials, and contributed dessert items. The student associations sold food and drinks unique to their respective countries, performed and hosted popular local games played back home. Revenues generated at the event will go towards supporting their club activities.
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer joined his counterparts in the ASEAN Consulates for the rice-pouring ceremony marking the opening of the event. This was followed by the pouring of rice by the presidents of the UBC student associations. According to Einer Lim, President of “Kabayan,” the UBC Filipino Students Association, the simultaneous pouring of rice, which is common to all Southeast Asian countries, into one bowl is supposed to symbolize unity for everyone in the ASEAN region. END
For more information, visit www.vancouverpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.vancouverpcg.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PHinVancouver
Left photo: Consul Arlene T. Magno (2nd from left) poses with officers of the “Kabayan”, the UBC Filipino Students Association. Right photo: ATN and Consular Assistant Alvin Dela Pena invites UBC students to taste some Philippine products – coconut water, hopia and biscuits.
Left photo from left: Dr. Kai Ostwald of the UBC Institute of Asian Research, Acting Consul General Narat Vidyananda of Thailand, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Acting Consul General Nina Kurnia Widhi of Indonesia, Consul General Pham Manh Hai of Vietnam, and Consul General Shamsul Nizam Shamsuddin of Malaysia, participate in the rice-pouring ceremony marking the opening of the event. Right photo: Presidents of the UBC student associations take their turn in the ceremony.