22 August 2005 -- The Philippine Embassy in Cairo reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs the successfully conduct of a presentation entitled, A Filipino Fiesta in Cairo, on 15 August 2005 at the Mostakbal Library, Heliopolis as part of the efforts to promote Philippine culture.

Among the highlights of the presentation was a parade of Philippine costumes, followed by native Filipino dances, like the Carinosa, Ifugao, Malong, Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Tinikling, and songs such as Inged A Mindanao, Bayan Kong Sinilangan. Matud Mo and Isang Mundo, Isang Awit. Two Egyptian girls were invited to go onstage for their version of the Filipino tinikling while the Filipino-Egyptian children performed an Egyptian folk dance.

The poem of national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Sa Aking Kabata,  was read by a member of the Filipino community and translated to Arabic by an Egyptian child.   There was also a harana featuring the song, Hiram Lamang.

After the program, the children proceeded to the activity area where Filipino games, such as the bilao race, istatuwa (or statue dance) and luksong tinik, were played.  Around fifty (50) Egyptian children participated.

The decoration, which drew a lot of praises, featured an authentic bahay kubo, made of bamboo and sawali, an arch used during the Flores de Mayo parades, a typical Philippine countryside landscape by Mr. Danny Lising, a Filipino community member, buntings which typify a Filipino fiesta and other decoration, such as salakot hats and anahaw leaves. There was also a cultural exhibit outside the venue where guests gathered after the program to partake of Philippine delicacies, such as puto, kutsinta, sitman, pilipit and leche flan.

The event was in coordination with the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement. The guest of honor was Dr. Nihad Seifalyazal, wife of the Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arab Republic of Egypt. The show was participated in by the members of the Filipino community, including children, some Embassy officers and staff and their family members, as well as students from the Mostakbal Library. END