Fiesta Filipinas spotlight Iloilo in Visita Iglesia.
The Visita Iglesia virtual tour of #Fiesta Filipinas will be showed on March 27, 2021, 4:00 P.M. (PH time/local time) at https://youtu.be/Vcy8eOsShqo.
Fiesta Filipinas is organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its 94 Foreign Service Posts, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The “Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals” project is a six-part, multi-format online event series from December 2020 until May 2021, which will simulate the experience of a festival through a combination of live and pre-recorded videos and live workshops and activities.
One Philippine festival will be featured each month as a way for locals to introduce their cultural festivity to the world stage.
Fiesta Filipinas showcase Iloilo this March
Iloilo is the featured event of Fiesta Filipinas Visita Iglesia this March being home to one of the four baroque churches inscribed by UNESCO as National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines, the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church, also known as Miagao Church.
Through the virtual Visita Iglesia, bisitas (visitors) who will join #FiestaFilipinas have the opportunity to marvel at the beautiful architecture of our churches, see the fast-developing city of Iloilo, and discover the country’s journey to nation-building and its rich heritage.
The launching in December 2020 was hosted by Mr. Paolo Abrera and Ms. Chal Lontoc, with virtual participation of DFA – Office of Strategic Communications and Research Acting Head of Office Ms. Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation Roberto P. Alabado III, and media from the Philippines and other parts of the world.
During the launch, Ms. Banzon-Abalos called the event an innovative approach to promoting Philippine culture, and is a way to bring Philippine culture and celebrations closer to Filipinos’ hearts despite the limitations of the pandemic.
On the tourism side, Usec. Alabado underscored the efforts of the Philippine government in ensuring a safe experience for tourists, once Philippine borders finally open up to international tourism, while NCCA Chairman Arsenio Lizaso, in a pre-recorded message, gave a sweeping overview of the deep roots of festivals in Filipino culture.
The first Fiesta Filipinas virtual event featured the Christmas season in the Philippines, with the Giant Lantern Parade in December 19 last year. It was followed by the Sinulog, Ati-Atihan, and Dinagyang Festivals in January and the Panagbenga Festival last February.
Read this year’s Dinagyang: Iloilo Dinagyang Digital Festival made Ilonggos proud
This March, Fiesta Filipinas spotlight Iloilo in Visita Iglesia, then Lami-Lamihan Festival on April 24 and it will end with the Flores De Mayo/Santacruzan on last week of May.
A multi-sensory experience, Fiesta Filipinas will be sharing a limited number of kits to some lucky participants from all over the world, for them to be able to join in on the workshops that will be held as part of the virtual fiestas.
Those living abroad who may wish to participate may contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate to request their kits.
See related news here: DFA Launches Fiesta Filipinas, a Virtual Celebration of Philippine Festivals
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*Text and photos were taken here: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/28325-dfa-launches-fiesta-filipinas-a-virtual-celebration-of-philippine-festivals