PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS FASCINATE VISITORS AT THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL ORANGE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IN ADANA, TURKEY

ADANA, 28 March 2022 – Visitors at the 10th International Orange Blossom Festival in Adana, Turkey, experienced the colorful regional festivals of the Philippines at the two booths mounted by the Philippine Embassy from 25 to 26 March 2022.

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey, Maria Elena P. Algabre, led the Embassy team in the two-day promotion of festivals such as the Sinulog, Kadayawan, Masskara and Panagbenga, as well as Philippine tourist destinations. Showcased were the festival paintings by Ankara-based Filipino artist Mr. Jonal Buenafe, festival posters and cultural items of the T’boli and Maranao groups. At least 2,000 visitors of the booths had fun wearing Sinulog headdresses for group or individual photos.

Embassy personnel donned costumes for Singkil and Paypay de Manila dances. Fiesta Filipinas videos, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” banners, and Pinoy ice cream cart created the “barrio fiesta” feel. Visitors were given home-made ice cream with ube and choc-nut flavors, Oishi products, and Fiesta Filipinas kits on the Pahiyas Festival.

Members of the Filipino community from Adana, Mersin and Tarsus (Filcom) visited the booths and had a short, but lively get together with the Philippine Ambassador.

The Filcom members joined the Embassy for the Carnival Parade on 26 March , which was the highlight of the orange festival. Riding on the Philippine float, the Filipinos proudly wore the Sinulog masks and waved the Philippine flag as they were warmly applauded by the Turkish public watching the parade on both sides of the main streets in Adana.