28 April 2015 - Advancing Philippine economic and cultural diplomacy in Canada, the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa hosted the International Women’s Club of Ottawa (IWCO) in a virtual tour of the country on April 15 at the Embassy showroom.
In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia thanked the IWCO for choosing the Philippines as a country of interest. She prefaced the program with the role of women in Philippine history and invited guests to view the exhibit titled “Inang Bayan: The Founding Mothers of the Philippines”, which the Embassy mounted on the occasion of National Women’s Month in March. Adding that Philippine history is replete with stories of courage, bravery and integrity of Filipino women who fought for equality and liberty, Ambassador Garcia called attention to the Philippines’ standing as among the 10 best countries for women according to the World Economic Forum’s 2014 Global Gender Gap Report.
The Ambassador also invited the IWCO to take a look at the various Philippine handicrafts and Philippine furniture on display, particularly the pieces designed by renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue, as well as the personal collection of crafts and jewelry of the ladies of the Philippine Embassy.
Dr. Omega Garibay, wife of Deputy Chief of Mission Uriel Norman Garibay, presented a profile of the Philippines and briefly discussed its history, politics and government, economy, people and society. She also led the IWCO members in a virtual tour showcasing the very best of the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage and top tourist attractions.
An IWCO member herself, Mrs. Joyce Tamayo, wife of Consul General Eric Tamayo, annotated a live exhibit tracing the history of Philippine fashion. The Embassy officers and staff proudly paraded traditional clothes from various regions of the country. The show highlighted Philippine fabrics such as piña, jusi, abaca and inabel. Mrs. Tamayo pointed out the delicate embroidery, hand-paintings and weave patterns on the barong tagalog, Maria Clara, mestiza dress, kimona, baro’t saya and the traditional dresses of the Cordillera and T’boli people.
The Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa (PDOT) demonstrated the Philippine dance “Tinikling”, which some members of IWCO gamely joined. The Embassy personnel’s rendition of the Filipino folk song “Ang Pipit” rounded out the brief program.
For a sampling of renowned Filipino hospitality, the Embassy offered a smorgasbord of Filipino cuisine which included pancit, chicken adobo, ukoy, palitaw and refreshing drinks such as dalandan and melon juice served Philippine style.
Ambassador Garcia also invited the IWCO members to join the next Winter Escapade on February 01 to 10, 2016 which will bring visitors from all over Canada to the Bicol region and Palawan.
More than 50 members of the IWCO from diplomatic, business and academic backgrounds who attended the event admired the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage. Many expressed interest in visiting the Philippines and joining the 3rd Winter Escapade tour to be led by Ambassador Garcia next year.
The International Women’s Club of Ottawa was founded in 1970 to introduce international women, temporarily living in the capital, to Canadian culture and way of life and to share knowledge of their respective countries. END