28 August 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, in cooperation with the Crowne Plaza Hotel City Center, opened Philippine food festival “Flavors of the Philippines” on August 19 at the Fresh All Day Dining Restaurant of the hotel. 

The two-week food festival is a highlight event of the “Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges” (YFE) that was agreed upon by Philippine President Benigno Aquino and former Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2011.  The YFE aims to increase people-to-people visits and various cultural exchanges to celebrate our long history of friendship.   

Opening day activities began with the performance of the Sindaw Performing Arts Guild at the hotel lobby.  A press conference followed, attended by members of leading Chinese media outfits along with officials from the tourism and cultural offices of Guangzhou City and Guangdong Province. 

The food festival formally kicked-off with an opening ceremony highlighted by a cocktail reception, performances by the Sindaw Performing Arts Guild, welcome remarks by Consul General Raly L. Tejada and Crowne Plaza General Manager Samuel Tsang, and a ribbon-cuting ceremony held at the entrance of the restaurant immediately after the press conference. 

The event will run until September 1, 2013 and features Filipino fare prepared by two chefs from the InterContinental Hotel Manila and performances of traditional dances by the Sindaw Performing Arts Guild.  END