PH Embassy in Riyadh Joins ASEAN Family Day
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto (fourth from right) joins the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during the opening ceremonies for the ASEAN Family Day on 29 February 2020 at the Indonesian Embassy. (Riyadh PE photo)
RIYADH 05 March 2020 – Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdon of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto led Philippine Embassy officers and personnel during the Embassy’s participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Family Day on 29 February 2020 at the Indonesian Embassy grounds.
Ambassadors and Heads of Mission from the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam also led their respective officers and staff in joining the event.
The ASEAN Family Day is an annual activity organized by the ASEAN Riyadh Committee (ARC), composed of the Ambassadors and Heads of Post of the Embassies of ASEAN Member Countries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event is meant to foster friendship and camaraderie among the officers and staff of the Embassies of ASEAN-member countries, by holding various cultural activities and the sharing of dishes unique to each member-country.
In his welcome remarks as current chair of the ASEAN Riyadh Committee, Ambassador Alonto likened the ASEAN Family Day to a traditional get-together of a traditional Southeast Asian Family, where brothers and sisters take the time out from their busy schedules to reconnect, enjoy and to have fun with each other. He encouraged everyone to learn more about their ASEAN relatives by engaging each other in conversation, learning about each other’s cultures, and the sharing of traditional food and drink.
The Ambassador also thanked the Embassy of Indonesia for providing the venue for this year’s ASEAN Family Day.
The Family Day kicked-off its activities with the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission holding a Lo Hei or Prosperity Toss organized by the Embassy of Singapore. The Lo Hei involved the mixing and tossing of ingredients in a salad, which symbolizes unity and prosperity among its participants.
For its activity, the Philippine Embassy showcased Filipino Martial Arts through a demonstration led by Guro Jay Roque Japuz of Jack Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness (JMMACF) in Riyadh. The Philippine Embassy also served traditional Filipino dishes such as sisig, kare-kare, and pansit palabok which was prepared and catered by Lyka’s Catering Services.
Other activities organized by the other Embassies include an ASEAN Quiz Bee, a darts and badminton game, Chinlone (which is the Myanmar version of Sepak Takraw, traditional dances from Thailand and Indonesia, and a variety of kids games, which was heartily participated in by the Embassies’ officers, staff and their families.
The ASEAN Family Day will be the last activity by the Philippine Embassy as current chair of the ASEAN Riyadh Committee. It will turn-over the chairmanship of the ARC to Singapore who will be ARC Chair for the year 2020. END
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan V. Alonto and the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of the Embassies of ASEAN-member countries in Riyadh toss a salad for the Lo Hei or Prosperity Toss. (Riyadh PE photo)
Guro Jay Roque Japuz of Jack Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness (JMMACF) in Riyadh demonstrates the forms of the Filipino Martial Art of Arnis or stick fighting. (Riyadh PE photo)
Left photo: The ASEAN Ambassadors grip each others hands in the ASEAN Way handshake. Right photo: Ambassador Alonto and Madame Jo Alonto joins other participants in the Sajojo dance organized by the Indonesian Embassy. (Riyadh PE photo)
Ambassador Alonto and Madame Jo is joined by the officers, staff and families of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh for a family group photo. (Riyadh PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKSA or https://twitter.com/PHLinKSA.