CDA Marcos A.S. Punsalang and Mrs. Marissa Punsalang (leftmost) pose with Mayor Giordi Rossi, members of the diplomatic corps and performers from participating countries

(Malloco, 9 October 2017) – As part of the Philippine Embassy in Santiago’s effort to promote Philippine culture, tourism and products across Chile, the Embassy participated in the Fiesta De Las Naciones (Party of Nations) in the Chilean locality of Malloco from 6 to 9 October 2017.  The fiesta is an annual event featuring cultural performances, local artifacts, gastronomic feasts and tourism products from across the world. 

This year’s theme was La Vuelta al Mundo in 4 Dias (Around the World in 4 Days) and showcased country booths and cultural performances from more than a hundred participating foreign embassies, restaurants, tourism groups, and other private and public entities from various parts of the country.  An estimated 5,000 Chileans and foreign nationals enjoyed the 4-day event.

The Philippine booth featured traditional Filipino products, such as the barong, handwoven bags made from sinamay and tinalak, seashell products, pearl and brush earrings, and other examples of Filipino artisan work and craftsmanship. Also given away were tourism materials from the Department of Tourism, cookbooks, catalogues featuring Cebu, Bohol and the best tourism attractions in the Philippines, as well as leaflets containing fun facts about the country

Members of the Filipino Community in Chile also performed the Tinikling in front of an audience of more than 300 people, and also asked members of the audience to participate in the performance and experience the native dance.

Governor Juan Pablo Gomez Ramirez of the province of Talagante and the organizers of the event conveyed their appreciation to the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community for their support and partiipation. Chargé d’Affaries, a.i., Marcos A.S. Punsalang assured the organizers of the Embassy’s continuing presence and support in the coming fiestas and other cultural activities in Santiago and its neighboring provinces.

This is the Philippine Embassy’s third participation in the Fiesta De Las Naciones since the annual event began in 2010.