PH UNESCO World Heritage Sites Featured at PH Consulate General in Xiamen’s National Heritage Month Celebrations
Consul General to Xiamen Julius Caesar A. Flores (center) with the VIP Guests and Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS) faculty and students pose for a photo during the launching of “The Beauty of the Philippines: A Photo Exhibition of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Philippines” in celebration of the 2019 National Heritage Month at the Minnan Culture Town, Xiamen City on 31 May 2019. (Xiamen PCG photo)
XIAMEN 02 July 2019 — In line with the celebration of the National Heritage Month 2019, the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen successfully launched “The Beauty of the Philippines: A Photo Exhibition on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Philippines” held at the Minnan Culture Town, Huli District, Xiamen City on 31 May 2019. Close to 300 guests attended the launching.
The exhibit, running from 31 May to 15 June 2019, is a joint collaboration of the Consulate General, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), Minnan Culture Town, Sunshine Culture Company and Tawid Heritage Center, one of the Consulate General’s cultural diplomacy partners.
The exhibit mounted 30 framed photos showcasing the six sites as proclaimed by UNESCO in cultural and natural categories, which included the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (San Agustin Church in Manila, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, Miag-ao Church in Iloilo), Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the Historic City of Vigan and Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.
In his remarks, Consul General to Xiamen Julius Caesar A. Flores expressed appreciation to UNACOM for its valuable support and stated the showcased Philippine sites provided an excellent introduction of the rich and diverse beauty of the Philippine archipelago.
The Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS) faculty provided performances showcasing medleys of Filipino folk dances and pop songs. Refreshments of assorted rice cakes (puto, cuchinta or kutsinta) and other favorite snacks (buko pandan, maja blanca, leche flan) were served to the delight of the guests.
The exhibition is a mainstreaming activity under the Consulate General’s cultural diplomacy thrusts for 2019 which aims to promote the Philippines in Fujian province and elsewhere through exhibitions which will contribute towards the nurturing and strengthening of ties between the Philippines and China. END
Left photo: Consul General Flores (in barong tagalog) leads the guests for the exhibit viewing. Right photo: The MXIS faculty and students showcase their cultural presentation during the opening program. (Xiamen PCG photo)