Ambassador Buensuceso delivers her Message as Guest of Honor of the ASEAN Street Food Festival

The Philippines was honored in a twin celebration that marked the 117th Anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence as well as the holding of an  ASEAN Street Food Festival organized by the ASEAN Women’s Circle (AWC) at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 12 June 2015. 

The event’s formal opening ceremony was held at the ASEAN Gallery and was attended by members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and their spouses, Ambassadors of ASEAN's Dialogue Partners, other Ambassadors, dignitaries, friends and guests of both the AWC and the Philippines. 

Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN , Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, who was the event’s Guest of Honor, thanked the  AWC for the honor  accorded  to the Philippines on the occasion of her country's national day. In her Remarks during the Opening Ceremonies of the Festival, Ambassador Buensuceso said that “events such as this make for the human face of ASEAN as we usher in the ASEAN Community 2015. AWC’s act of caring for the less fortunate as well as its mission to foster greater cultural understanding and camaraderie are the embodiment of the caring and sharing community that we all aspire for.”

To highlight the Philippine advocacy for women empowerment, she likewise recalled that “more than a century ago a group of patriotic Filipino women patiently stitched by hand the first Philippine Flag. This small act of love and dedication helped spark a new beginning for the Philippines.”  Comparing  this spirit to the advocacies of the AWC she reminded the guests that “more than a hundred years later, we are in the presence of equally dedicated women, representing twenty different countries, hoping to uplift the lives of those who have less in life here in Jakarta.”  She also took pride in introducing two equally talented Filipino fashion and jewelry designers – Corazon Manimbo and Oscar Atendido – whose elegant clothes and uniquely-designed accessories were featured in the AWC Bazaar that was part of the Festival.

In his remarks, AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community & Corporate Affairs conveyed his congratulations to Ambassador Buensuceso and friends from the Philippines. He said, “we saw a glimpse of the magnificent richness of the Philippines’ heritage and talents during the Independence Day’s reception at the Shangri-La. We are fortunate that we could experience and enjoy more about beautiful Philippines at this festival, as well as other ASEAN member states and our dialogue partners and friends.”

To symbolically open the Food Festival, Ambassador Buensuceso, along with DSG Mochtan and AWC President Ubi Pramono cut the ceremonial Javanese  Nasi Tumpeng, a cone-shaped rice dish with vegetable meat to celebrate important occasions.

The Philippines' booth at the Food Festival featuring adobo, achara and turon.

The ASEAN Street Food Festival (ASFF) is one of the biggest annual events organized by the AWC. Permanent Missions to ASEAN of all member countries and  Dialogue  Partners donated  dishes typical of their respective countries  to support AWC’s fund-raising endeavor through the food festival.  More than one thousand guests trooped the queues for delectable dishes which included the Philippines 'adobo ,achara and turon, side by side  other dishes such as pad thai, Hainanese chicken,   curry, , all kinds of noodles, nasilemak, etc. Not to be outdone, Missions of ASEAN's  Dialogue Partners also served kimchi, bibimbap, meringues, chocolate chips, pies and chicken wraps.

Two Philippine companies – Cebu Pacific Air and Oishi – were likewise lauded by Madame Pramono for their generous donations as major sponsors of the ASFF.  All proceeds from this year’s ASFF will be donated to foundations supporting the out-of-school youth and marginalized children of Jakarta and its surrounding areas.

END