24 August 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Jose D.R. Burgos visited Parintins in the Amazon State to join members of the Diplomatic Corps in Brasília for the 50th Folkloric Festival last June 26 to 29, an annual festival of the city to commemorate the legend of a bull brought back to life in a three-night celebration filled with singing, dancing and a wide array of colorful gigantic props.
About 35,000 participants of the blue (Caprichoso) and red (Garantido) groups competing for a big bonanza of prizes, along with their fans and throngs of tourists, VIPs and business executives gathered at the big cultural performances held at the huge Bumbodromo Stadium. Members of the Diplomatic Corps from Brasília, including the Ambassadors of Switzerland, Chile, Ecuador, UK, Austria, Slovenia, Syria and the Philippines, joined in watching the festivities.
The event was an opportunity to foster acquaintances and friendship with the citizens of Parintins, the city in the heart of the Amazon, and appreciate one of Brazil's biggest festivals which is said to be next to the February Carnival in Rio. On the way back to Brasília, Ambassador Burgos also took the opportunity to pay a visit to four Filipino Nuns (Capuchin Sisters) at the St. Damian Monastery at Jorge Teixeira, Manaus. The Philippine Ambassador was joined by his wife, Dra. Blesilda Mansilla Burgos and Philippine Embassy personnel, Mr. Jose Antonio M. Bea and Ms. Rosa Maria F. Candido. END