"Mabait na Kalabaw" Launched in celebration of 60th PH-Iran Diplomatic Relations
Philippine Ambassador to Iran Roberto G. Manalo (3rd from left) is joined by the representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as ASEAN Ambassadors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand during the unveiling of “Ang Mabait na Kalabaw” – a groundbreaking book in Filipino, Farsi, and English on 25 January 2023 at the Chancery. (Tehran PE Photo)
TEHRAN 29 January 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Tehran marked the 60th anniversary of Philippines-Iran Bilateral relations with a book launch last 25 January 2024. Philippine Ambassador to Iran Roberto G. Manalo publicly launched the book “Ang Mabait na Kalabaw” (The Good Carabao), a children's book authored by National Artist of the Philippines Virgilio S. Almario and published by Filipino publisher Adarna House, translated into the Persian (Farsi) language with support from DFA Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD).
This book innovatively showcases three languages, namely, English, Filipino, and Farsi, to introduce Filipino literature especially for second and third-generation Filipino-Iranians. The accessible subject matter of “Ang Mabait na Kalabaw” may be used as an entertaining yet educational material for children. Moreover, the said children’s book addresses the lack of Filipino children’s book in Iran by providing access to such literature in the region while enjoining others to learn more about Filipino values.
Ambassador Manalo conveyed high optimism that Filipinos and Iranians alike would have better appreciation of each other's characters, society, and traditions, further intensifying people-to-people understanding through cultural programs as the major theme for this anniversary year's celebration.
“The Philippines and Iran, having distinct histories, traditions, societal systems, and separated geographically, should not be a hindrance to maintaining peaceful relations, as evidenced by the past 60 years of cordial bilateral relations,” the Ambassador remarked. The young generations of Filipino-Iranians present at the launching event shall inherit 60 years onward what both the governments will put in place today for the betterment of countries' bilateral ties,” he further added.
The event was attended by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ASEAN Ambassadors in Iran and their deputies, families of ASEAN member missions, and by the Filipino community. The book launch was shortly followed by a book reading by the Embassy team wherein the children were actively engaged in listening to the story and answering fun quizzes that highlighted the values of the good carabao in the book.
Taking off from this anniversary launching event, the Philippine Embassy has lined up various other cultural events over the next months to better promote Filipino culture to the Iranian audience. END
Following the captivating book reading event of “Ang Mabait na Kalabaw” children from ASEAN member missions and the Filipino Community took the moment for a group photo with Philippine Ambassador to Iran Roberto G. Manalo (back row, 3rd from right) on 25 January 2024 at the Philippine Embassy. (Tehran PE Photo)
Third Secretary and Vice Consul Hannah Eloisse V. Go (leftmost), along with local hire Mr. Vahab Samadani (2nd adult from left), who translated the book, read “Ang Mabait na Kalabaw” to the children of ASEAN member missions and the Filipino community during the book reading event on 25 January 2024 at the Chancery. (Tehran PE Photo)
For more information, visit https://www.tehranpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinIran/ or https://www.instagram.com/phliniran/.