Filipiniana clothes featured at ASEAN Young Diplomats Reception in Vietnam

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril G. Santos while delivering his Keynote Speech during the ASEAN Young Diplomats’ Reception.

The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi participated in a Fashion Show held during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Young Diplomats’ Reception last  March 14 at the Government Guest House in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Reception was organized by the ASEAN Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and its Youth Association, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy and the other Embassies of the various ASEAN countries that are based in Hanoi.

(From left) Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Ms. Carolina Tsukamoto, Ms. Mai Anh Thu, Ms. Regina Holli, Ms. April Paste, Ms. Le Thuy Nga and Ms. Hanh Nguyen Nguyen in traditional Filipiniana attire.

In his speech, the Dean of the ASEAN Ambassadors in Hanoi, Philippine Ambassador Jerril G. Santos, expressed his confidence in the young diplomats of ASEAN as the bright minds that would shape the future of ASEAN.

Former Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines and presently the Assistant Senior Officials Meeting Leader of ASEAN-Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Vu Tu, delivered the Opening Remarks and described the event as a good opportunity for the young diplomats of ASEAN and for the Youth Association of the Ministry to meet and showcase the richness and diversity of the cultures of the 10 ASEAN countries.

Each ASEAN country displayed a tasteful selection of their traditional clothes during the Fashion Show. The Philippines modeled seven Filipiniana costumes for women. The Philippine costumes were a colorful feast of intricate fabrics carefully made from the fibers of pina, jusi or banana, with hand-sewn beads in floral and other ornamental design. The style of the costumes that were exhibited range from the familiar Maria Clara style to the famous butterfly sleeves to other classic and elegant styles that are usually worn during special or formal occasions.

(Left photo) Ms. Mai Anh Thu and Ms. Carolina Tsukamoto in colorful Filipiniana gowns with butterfly sleeves. (Right photo) Ms. Regina Holli in an appealing Maria Clara gown.

Vietnam-based Filipinas Regina Holli, Carolina Tsukamoto and April Paste exuded the grace of typical Filipinas while modeling the traditional costumes of their homeland. A staff from the Philippine Embassy, Vietnamese Ms. Le Thuy Nga and other young beauties from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Ms. Hanh Nguyen Nguyen, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong and Ms. Mai Anh Thu, modeled the rest of the Filipiniana gowns.

Consistent with the ASEAN practice, the reception also featured a delicious array of native delicacies from all the ASEAN countries. The ASEAN reception was a pleasant cultural treat for the senses and a delightful venue for the young ASEAN diplomats and personnel from the Vietnam Foreign Ministry to get together.

Press release courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 03 April 2014.