PHL Embassy Launches Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition in Portugal

Deputy Chief of Mission Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia, Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador of the National Museum, Senator Loren B. Legarda, and Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria during the launch of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition, 28 March 2018

04 April 2018 LISBON — The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal formally launched Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition with its Guest of Honor and project proponent, Hon. Senator Loren B. Legarda on March 28. The event was also graced by guests from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic corps, Lisbon´s socio-cultural circle, the academe, the Portuguese media and other Embassy friends.

In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria thanked the Honorable Senator for choosing the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon as host to the Hibla Exhibit, highlighting her significant contribution to promoting Philippine culture and arts worldwide. The Ambassador also thanked the National Museum of the Philippines, represented by Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador and her staff and the piña weavers and embroiderers for sharing their extraordinary expertise.

Prior to the exhibit’s launch, the Embassy successfully hosted a 5-day Lecture Series of Weaving and Embroidery Demonstrations and Workshops with the National Museum delegation headed by Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador, from March 23 to 28.  Filipinos and Portuguese alike enjoyed the embroidery exercise that has shown the unique artwork, creativity and skill of the embroiderers in creating beautiful craft using the Philippines´ queen of textiles, the piña, blended with the smoothest of cloth, the silk. The exhibit offers its audience a glimpse of how the beautiful pineapple and silk textiles reached Philippine shores; how the fibers are harvested and woven into cloth and then designed with intricate embroidery and why these are the chosen fabric of the country´s national costume – the barong Tagalog and the baro´t saya, which every Filipino wear with pride and dignity.

The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal is the second Embassy to host the Hibla Travelling Exhibition after its first run in London in October last year. The Embassy will host the travelling exhibit until 30 April 2018. END

For more information, visit www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph.

Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador of the National Museum, Ambassador Feria, Senator Legarda, and Deputy Chief of Mission Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia pose with the woven and embroidered products

Portuguese guests from the socio-cultural circle pose with Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria during the event

Ambassador Feria poses with the National Museum team headed by Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador and other Embassy personnel