he Philippines made its presence felt at a diplomatic food fair marking the 43rd anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Laos this month. A report from the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane said the Lao foreign ministry organized the Diplomatic Food Fair at the Lao National Cultural Hall last October 16. "The event marked the 43rd Anniversary of Aseanand the 13th Anniversary of the country's accession to the ASEAN. The Philippine Embassy, together with ASEAN member countries and ASEAN dialogue partners such as China, Japan, South Korea, India and the United States, showcased [its] food products and souvenir items during the fair," the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday. It said the Philippine booth featured lechon de leche (roasted suckling piglet), kalderetang kambing (stewed goat's meat), palitaw, biko and puto (sweet rice and sticky rice cake), longanisa (Philippine sausage), tocino (sweetened cured pork), pancit (Philippine noodles), banana cake and yema. The delicacies were the products of the different businesses of the Filipino community such as restaurants and guest houses, and other enterprising Filipino community members, the DFA said. Also, tourism brochures presenting popular tourism sites in the Philippines were also distributed during the food fair. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bonkeut Sangsomsak presided at the opening ceremony of the fair, which coincided with the celebration of the World Food Day.
During the event, the Philippine Embassy likewise presented gift bags to officials and other booth visitors containing materials on tourism and investment promotion, as well as Philippine delicacies such as suman (sticky rice steamed in banana leaves), polvoron (processed milk candy) and Philippine-made papaya bar soaps. Philippine souvenir items and facial care products were also on display. For the cultural presentation, the Filipino community headed by Triskelion's Grand Fraternity and Sorority Coordinator Xander Ace Tedoco presented a rendition of the "Tinikling", performed by Cyrin Joshen Inventor and Izenn Adrielle Inventor, children of Filipino community members. — With Jerrie Abella/VS
