MANILA, Philippines — As chair of the ASEAN Committee in Argentina, the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires spearheaded the organization of the first Buenos Aires Celebra Sudeste Asiático (Buenos Aires Celebrates Southeast Asia) on September 19 in Plaza Barrancas de Belgrano.
The festival, organized in close partnership with the embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as the City Government of Buenos Aires, had a total of 27 booths showcasing Southeast Asian gastronomy and handicrafts. The program featured traditional songs and dances from the region, gamelan and anklung performances, and Muay Thai demonstrations which captivated the crowd. The six-hour long event attracted an estimated 6,000 visitors.
The crowd was particularly delighted to sample traditional and authentic Southeast Asian cuisine through the various Embassy booths and Argentine restaurants that have Southeast Asian offerings on their menu. The Philippine Embassy booth proudly served adobo, pancit bihon, chicken barbeque and cassava bibingka.
Speaking on behalf of the other Southeast Asian ambassadors during the opening ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to Argentina Maria Amelita Aquino expressed hope that the festival will give Buenos Aires its first real taste of Southeast Asia and bring the region closer to the hearts of the Argentine people. Undersecretary for Human Rights and Cultural Pluralism Claudio Avruj and Director General for Migrant Communities Julio Croci represented the city government of Buenos Aires during the event.