Crafts, foods showcase PH culture in DC Winternational

The Philippine Embassy booth at the 7th Annual Embassy Showcase Winternational held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Dec. 6. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C.– More than 50 embassies and foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C., including the Philippine Embassy, participated in the 7^th Annual Embassy Showcase Winternational.

The Winternational, held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Dec. 6, showcases the cultural and culinary traditions of Washington’s diplomatic community.

Cultural Attaché Lalie Gavino shows some of the Christmas ornaments to visiting guests.CONTRIBUTED

Known to have one of the longest and the most festive Yuletide celebrations in the world, Filipinos have applied their creativity and innovation in designing eco-friendly and unique decorations.

The Embassy showcased Philippine-made Christmas ornaments including Christmas balls, stars and angels made of capiz  shells as well as miniature reindeers made of abaca fibers.

Guests line up at the Philippine Embassy booth for a free sampling of arroz caldo (Filipino rice porridge). CONTRIBUTED

Handwoven and sustainable bags and purses, jusi fans, freshwater pearl earrings, assorted keychains, mini jeepneys, Malagos dark chocolates, Benguet coffee and a free sampling of arroz caldo (Filipino rice porridge) completed this year’s offerings from the Philippine Embassy.

“The Annual Embassy Showcase Winternational is a solid platform through which we are able to share snapshots of our culture, cuisine, and tourism with the Washington community. It is indeed a fitting finale to the Embassy’s cultural diplomacy program throughout the entire year,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said in a statement.

Various Philippine-made products including sustainable and handwoven bags were displayed at the Embassy booth during the 7th Winternational on Dec. 6. CONTRIBUTED

This is the 5^th time that the Philippine Embassy joined the annual winter cultural event, its participation made possible by the support of the International Bazaar Foundation, Inc. and the assistance of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Washington, D.C.