Thousands visit PH Embassy for Passport DC ‘Around the World Tour’

Performers captivate the audience with colorful traditional Filipino dances. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON – More than 4,000 people visited the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, during the 2024 Passport DC “Around the World Embassy Tour” on May 4.

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said that after a four-year hiatus, the Philippine Embassy “triumphantly returned” to showcase the beauty of the Philippines during the event, “reminding the world of our nation’s undeniable charm and allure, and why they should LOVE the Philippines as much as we do.”

The event coincided with celebrations of the Philippine National Heritage Month and the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May.

This year, the Embassy invited diverse local and global Filipino brands and artists, offering them a platform to exhibit the rich tapestry of Philippine culture, heritage and products.

The tourism booth displays the island destinations of the Philippines. CONTRIBUTED

Visitors enjoyed authentic Philippine flavors, bringing home a variety of Mama Sita’s mixes, Tito Al’s Choice Chicharon and snacks courtesy of 2A Marketing, and Philippine beverages sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.

Lucky guests also received exclusive giveaways from Sun & Stars Coffee, Fila Manila and S.N.R.G Productions.

The Embassy also invited local DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) food vendors to promote their products, including:

• Toby’s Ice cream, hailed as Arlington’s Best Ice Cream by Arlington Magazine, highlighted their handmade ice cream featuring Filipino flavors, such as Philippine mango, calamansi sorbet, ube and pandan.
• Matelna Bakes, a Filipino-owned local business based in Maryland, tantalized taste buds with their exquisite ensaymada and brownies infused with the beloved Philippine ingredient, ube.
• Kam46, a food truck based in the DMV area, delighted visitors with their fusion of local Hawaiian and Filipino cuisine, offering a modern twist on Pinoy favorites, like chicken barbecue and sisig.

Visitors enjoy authentic Philippine flavors, bringing home a variety of giveaways, including Mama Sita’s mixes and Tito Al’s Choice Chicharon and snacks. CONTRIBUTED

Highlighting this year’s Passport DC theme, “Music Diplomacy,” DJ Marlino Bitanga from MYX Global and The Filipino Channel (TFC) infused the event with a Pinoy Fiesta vibe, spinning Original Pinoy Music (OPM) throughout the day. Renowned Maryland-based tenor, Allan Palacios Chan, showcased the immense power of Filipino vocals with a stellar performance.

Adding to the cultural showcase, the Mabuhay, Inc. Dance Ensemble and George Washington University Philippine Cultural Society (GWU-PCS) captivated the audience with mesmerizing traditional Filipino dances, including the renowned Tinikling.

Visitors also had the chance to experience Filipino martial arts firsthand through a demonstration by Pinakatay Arnis.

The tourism booth displayed the island destinations of the Philippines and provided tourism brochures that visitors could take home.

Passport DC commemorates International Cultural Awareness Month in the District of Columbia. CONTRIBUTED

Children and adults were invited to the activity booth to experience the vibrancy of traditional Filipino fiestas and learn about traditional Filipino scripts.

Passport DC commemorates International Cultural Awareness Month in the District of Columbia in May, aiming to showcase Washington, DC’s thriving international diplomatic community.

The “Around the World Embassy Tour,” part of Passport DC, offers a single-day opportunity for embassies to welcome the public, providing a diverse experience of international cultures through traditional dances, music, art exhibits and culinary delights.