PH Consulate General in Jeddah Celebrates National Arts Month

Consul General Edgar B. Badajos (extreme right), together with (from left) Thai Consul General Soradjak Puranasamriddhi, Korean Consul General Sang-Kyoun Lee, and Chinese Consul General Tan Banglin, cuts the ceremonial ribbon in one of the two arts exhibits curated for the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah’s celebration of the 2019 Philippine Arts Month. (Jeddah PCG photo)

JEDDAH 28 February 2019 – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah opened a three-day celebration of the National Arts month with various activities including an exhibit of Philippine paintings and textiles, a fashion show featuring traditional and modern renditions of the Filipiniana wear, and traditional cultural dance performances on 23 February 2019.

The audience included the Consuls General of Thailand, South Korea, and China, leaders and members of Filipino community organizations, as well as administrators and teachers of Philippine schools in Jeddah

“Through this celebration, we hope to nurture and sustain among Overseas Filipino Workers and their families a high level of pride in, and love for, their rich Filipino heritage,” Consul General Edgar B. Badajos said.

Consul General Badajos added that “greater inter-cultural understanding increases the possibility of developing a symbiotic political and economic relationship that could, in turn, redound to the economic and social sell-being of our peoples.”

Select Consulate General staff and their dependents walked the red carpet in their best traditional wear and modern interpretations of the barong Tagalog and terno. The Filipino performing arts were also highlighted through song and dance performances by the Consulate’s own talents and Filipino cultural groups.

Kultura Dance Troupe, a group composed of Filipino professionals, performed Itik-Itik and Subli while Nunungan International Organization, a group of Filipino-Muslims in Jeddah, performed a traditional Maranaw music ensemble, which was a delightful introduction to the richness of Philippine arts for other Consulates present.

A Filipino chef’s group added delight to the occasion by serving delicious Filipino cuisine. The rest of the consulate staff showed their passion in their efforts to ensure a memorable evening for everyone.

Painting workshop were also given by the exhibitors including Architect Larry Villanueva, Architect Edris Tamano, Mrs. Lila Buenaseda, and Ms. Juhi Naddem Sham.

Vice Consul Alfer Guiang also gave an introductory lecture on Philippine arts and culture to senior students from the four Philippine International Schools in Jeddah. END

The Consuls General view the two exhibits curated for the Consulate General in Jeddah’s celebration of the Philippine Arts Month 2019. One features work of Filipino and foreign visual artists (left photo), and the other features the textile and wardrobe traditions of the Philippines. (Jeddah PCG photo)

The Kultura Dance Troupe performs Itik-itik and Subli. (Jeddah PCG photo)

Vice Consul and Mrs. Lemuel Lopez perform the Malong dance. (Jeddah PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJeddah/.