4 July 2012 - The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, in cooperation with the Filipino Teachers' Network, organized a "Pistahan sa Vientiane" on June 23 at the grounds of the Philippine Ambassador's Residence.
Philippine Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) Maria Lumen B. Isleta led Embassy personnel and their respective families, and more than 200 members of the Filipino community in an afternoon of fun, games, arts, and music.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Isleta noted that the Pistahan was organized as part of the series of Independence Day events as well as in commemoration of National Heritage Month which is celebrated annually during the month of May.
She underscored the importance of creating among Filipinos, particularly those living and working overseas, and more specifically, among their children living away from their motherland, an awareness and pride for Filipino culture, traditions and heritage.
She said that the Pistahan also served to highlight the best in the Filipino - as it exhibited their creativity, ingenuity, adaptability, their good nature, hospitality and bayanihan spirit.
The Pistahan sa Vientiane showcased regional booths featuring handicraft products and specialty dishes from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Food booths offered sumptuous Filipino fare and delicacies which included lechon, dinuguan and puto, tocino, pandesal, biko, maja blanca, and ube, among others.
Embassy Cultural Officer Teresa Polistico, and Ms. Vanessa Cresino, a Filipino teacher in Vientiane, prepared batches of delicious palitaw during the Lutong Pinoy Cooking Demo.
Children from the Filipino community also enjoyed a fun-filled Palarong Pinoy such as Basagan ng Palayok, Karerang Sako and Pabitin.
They were also treated to an art competition/workshop facilitated by Mr. Manny Reniva, a Filipino art teacher in Vientiane and a story-telling session on the "Battle of Tirad Pass" as facilitated by Mr. Giovanni Villafuerte, a Filipino volunteer in Laos, who offered an interesting take on the historic battle.
