17 November 2011- The Philippine Embassy in London reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippines brought joy and color to a cold and grey-skied London day with its historic participation at the 2011 Lord Mayor's Show held over the weekend in the British capital.
The Embassy and the Department of Tourism-London collaborated with members of the Filipino-British community to create a vibrant float that showcased the best sights and sounds of the Philippines to the people of the United Kingdom.
"It was with great pride that the Philippines, for the first time ever, joined the Lord Mayor's Show and put on a wonderful display of Filipino culture and creativity for the entire world to see," Ambassador Enrique Manalo saidEntitled "Colours of the Philippines", the float was conceived by Filipino-British designer Rodrigo Enriquez, who also designed one of the commemorative coins for the London 2012 Olympics.
"The beautiful Philippine display at the Lord Mayor's Show truly exhibited how warm and welcoming our country can be", Ambassador Manalo stated.
"We certainly look forward to having more of our British friends over so that they can see and experience for themselves all that our country has to offer," he added.
Deputy Chief of Mission Reynaldo Catapang and other officials greeted the crowd from aboard the float, while lively performances by the Lahing Kayumanggi dance troupe, the Doce Pares Philippine martial arts school, the youth organization Philippine Generations and sectoral representatives of Filipinos in the UK surrounded the float throughout the parade.
The Lord Mayor's Show is a 785-year old tradition celebrating the assumption of office of the new Lord Mayor of London.
The parade features hundreds of floats and thousands of participants, and runs over three miles long, passing some of London's oldest and most famous landmarks such as St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Courts of Justice and the River Thames embankment.
Over half-a-million spectators lined the route of the parade, which was broadcasted by the BBC and seen on television by an estimated two million viewers.
BBC's live coverage of this year's show prominently featured the Philippine float as well as an interview with Filipina-British television actresses Rebecca Grant and Reneé Montemayor.
The Lord Mayor of London serves as an ambassador for all financial and professional services based in the city.
The new Lord Mayor, David Wootton, recognizes the vigour and potential of the Philippine economy, and is planning a visit to Manila together with a British business delegation next year. END
