PH Embassy, WeFil Chorale Lead Heritage Month 2018 Celebration

Ambassador Belinda M. Ante with members of the WeFil Chorale (Vientiane PE photo)

VIENTIANE 24 May 2018 — The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, Laos, organized a special concert by Vientiane-based Philippine singing group, WeFil Chorale, on 19 May 2018 at the Embassy grounds to celebrate National Heritage Month 2018. A total of 101 participants, Filipinos and non-Filipinos, attended the concert, which highlighted Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and traditional songs from various Philippine regions.

Led by Choir Director Ms. Esther Joy Bautista, WeFil gave renditions of “Ako ay Filipino” composed by George Canseco; “Da Coconut Nut,” a popular Filipino song about the coconut tree and originally performed by pop group Smokey Mountain; “Kaming Magmamani,” and Aklanon song about peanut planters; and, “Rosas Pandan,” a Visayan folksong composed by Minggoy Lopez and Levi Celerio. WeFil members Mr. Jack Durano, Ms. Trinidad Requiza, and Mr. Kong Nifras, also performed solo renditions of “Anak,” “Isang Lahi,” and “Bayan Ko,” respectively. In addition, Mr. Durano and Ms. Cindy Millan performed a duet of Ogie Alcasid’s “Hanggang Ngayon.”

At the end of the program, the guests enjoyed Philippine cuisine, namely pancit, turon, lumpiang shanghai, and fried chicken.

For 2018, the theme of Heritage Month is “Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana.”

The month of May was declared National Heritage Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 439 dated 11 August 2003, with the aim of raising awareness and promoting love for Filipino cultural history. END

For more information, visit  www.vientianepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippineembassy.vientiane.54?fref=search

Ms. Cindy Millan sings “Ako ay Pilpino” backed by the WeFil Chorale. (Vientiane PE photo)