19 June 2012 - Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. led the Philippine Embassy's celebration of the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12 with a diplomatic reception at the Pretoria Country Club that featured a display of Philippine food items, clothing and accessories, and a mini-art exhibition featuring the works of Filipino artist Rico M. Tompong.
Ambassador Vingno opened the reception by welcoming the members of the diplomatic corps, South African government and business representatives, and members of the Filipino community to the event.
In his remarks, the Ambassador cited the growing bilateral relations between the Philippines and South Africa, illustrated by a 30% year-on-year increase in trade in 2011 and investments in the Philippines of leading South African mining conglomerate Gold Fields Limited and Standard Bank, one of the country's biggest banks.
The South African response was then delivered by Mr. Muthotho Sigidi, Director-General of the South African Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Mr. Sigidi hailed the growing cultural and trade cooperation between the Philippines and South Africa, and stated that the South African Government was looking forward to more cooperation such as one in agriculture.
Guests at the reception enjoyed Filipino food such as chicken adobo, beef caldereta, pancit and puto. The reception also featured a display of Philippine food items contributed by Goldilocks Corporation. The guests enjoyed a taste of Filipino delicacies such as polvoron and dried mangoes. Filipino traditional attire such as the barong and the terno were also on display.
One area of the hall displayed the artworks of Filipino painter Rico M. Tompong. Mr. Tompong was in Pretoria as the Embassy's guest, and his visit was sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with the Embassy as part of its projects to promote Philippine culture in South Africa. END
