PH joins cultural diversity celebration in Ottawa

The Philippine Booth at Algonquin College’s Celebration of Cultures.

For the fourth year running, the Philippines made its presence felt at the Celebration of Cultures organized by Algonquin College in Ottawa on April 4.

The Philippines was among 20 countries that participated in the international festival showcasing Canada’s rich cultural diversity, including the Netherlands, U.S. Turkey, Poland, China, Japan, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Kuwait, Iraq, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Zambia, Honduras, UAE, Ecuador and Guatemala.

The Philippine Embassy exhibit, made colorful by an “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” (IMFIT PH) theme and enhanced by shell craft and baskets from Iloilo as well as snacks from the Philippines, was a popular draw for the students who flocked to the festival.

The Algonquin Times, known as the best campus newspaper in Ontario, interviewed Minister and Consul Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo who seized the opportunity to create awareness not only of Philippine tourist destinations but also popular Philippine export products to Canada such as home décor and ethnic food.

“For this market segment, Filipino food is key to engaging passive onlookers in an active conversation on the Philippines,” Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie Gatan stated.  “The Embassy takes part in Algonquin’s Celebration of Cultures every year, cognizant of the openness of the Canadian youth to experience exotic cultures and explore foreign countries, especially the Philippines because of our extensive people-to-people links,” he added.

Press release and photos courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 08 April 2014.