27 January 2006 -- The Philippine Embassy in Yangon reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs  the successful Philippine participation in the Workshop-Exhibition on ASEAN-ROK Traditional Artifacts, organized by the Myanmar-ASEAN COCI from 16 to18 January 2006 in Yangon.

“This workshop-exhibition is a great opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its traditional items as manifestations of the country’s rich cultural heritage,” Ambassador Phoebe A. Gomez said.

For the project, artists from ASEAN countries met in Yangon and engaged in activities that allowed them to exchange insights and share experiences on the trends and developments in their respective traditional arts. The ASEAN artists also conducted a lecture-demonstration on the actual process of traditional art making. The Philippine delegation was composed of Ms. Nora Cadawas, taka (papier mache) maker, and Ms. Nicanora Teresa Hernandez, puni (coconut leaves) weaver, who came from Manila to participate in the event that was held at Sedona Hotel Yangon.

The Philippine Embassy in Yangon, upon the invitation of the Myanmar ASEAN-COCI, participated in the exhibition of traditional items and showcased hand-made items from the Philippines such as hand-woven fabrics from Ifugao and the Mountain Province in Northern Philippines, a hand-embroidered baro't saya, hand-embroidered pi?a bag and folding fan and other items. The San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also highlighted at the Philippine booth as a testimony to the rich heritage of the Filipino people. The public exhibition was held from 16-22 January 2006 at the National Museum.

The Workshop-Exhibition was a project of ASEAN-COCI Myanmar to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations. END