PH products take a bow at DC Winternational showcase

Christine Nielsen (right) and husband, Keith (center) shows a sample table runner to Winternational media representatives. With them is Philippine Embassy Cultural Attaché Lalie Gavino (left). CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Unique Philippine products and delicacies once again joined offerings from over 60 other foreign diplomatic missions at the 8thAnnual Embassy Showcase Winternational held in the Atrium Hall of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on December 5.

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This year, the Philippine Embassy proudly featured “NEW Pathways to Enterprise” – a nonprofit organization based in Maryland. Led by its President Christine Nielsen, the organization aims to enable women in underprivileged Philippine communities to start small businesses and benefit from livelihood and training programs.

Ana Kiss of the George Washington University textile museum happily shows her Gwenie’s goodies. Working at Gwenie’s booth are Eve Dupitas and Donnel Lopez. CONTRIBUTED

Bags, purses, Christmas ornaments, table runners and placemats, scarves, earrings, and other accessories that were all handmade and hand-woven by Filipino women from Cal-igang Samar, Tabao Proper and Valladolid Negros Occidental, Bagumbayan Sultan Kudarat, and Doldol Cebu, Philippines charmed hundreds of visitors of the annual bazaar.

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The embassy partnered with Gwenie’s Pastries, also based in Maryland and owned by Stella Fernandez, in adding that “Filipino flavor” to this year’s offerings.

The Philippine Embassy booth during the 8th Annual Embassy Showcase Winternational held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 5 December 2019. CONTRIBUTED

Ube (purple yam) and pandan cakes, ube cheesecakes, pastillas de leche, ube and chocolate crinkles, and piyaya (muscovado-filled unleavened flatbread), as well as the Embassy’s free samples of fried egg rolls, appealed to the taste of metro DC-based visitors.

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Winternational is an annual celebration showcasing the cultural and culinary traditions of Washington’s diplomatic community.

Gwenie’s Pastries’ Eve Dupitas; Philippine Embassy Cultural Attaché Lalie Gavino; NEW Pathways to Enterprise President Christine Nielsen; NEW Pathways to Enterprise Treasurer Keith Raney; Philippine Embassy Cultural Assistant Maya Cruz; NEW Pathways to Enterprise Advisory Council members Chris Williams and Menchie Veloso; NEW Pathways to Enterprise Secretary Terry Ross; NEW Pathways to Enterprise Board of Directors member Ellen Goldberg; and NEW Pathways to Enterprise volunteer Mary Helen Risler at the Philippine Embassy booth during the 8th Annual Embassy Showcase Winternational held on 5 December 2019 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. CONTRIBUTED