Filipinos all over the world now have a means to relive some of the best moments of living in the Philippines: joining fiestas through the Department of Foreign Affairs’ upcoming project ‘Fiesta Pilipinas’.
Starting this December, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will feature one virtual town fiesta every month, in the hope that Filipinos can experience the exhilarating joys of watching iconic festivals from the Philippines at the comforts of their homes.
Watch Iconic Pinoy Festivals Online Through ‘Fiesta Pilipinas’ Project
The DFA’s project in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, ‘Fiesta Pilipinas’ is a six-part online celebration of the Philippines’ most celebrated festivals in the country which include the Sinulog Festival, the Panagbenga Festival, Giant Lantern Festival, and more that spans six months from December 2020 to May 2021, the Business Mirror reported.
DFA Office of Strategic Communications and Research Acting Head Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos said that the project aims to bring the celebrations closer to Filipinos around the world by taking advantage of live streams powered by social media.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation Roberto Alabado III added that they are working closely with local government units to ensure that the experience across all festivals will not only be enjoyable but safe as well for everyone in attendance on site.
Meanwhile, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) Chairman Arsenio Lizaso, in a pre-recorded message, highlighted the importance of continuing the tradition of Filipino festivals that bring forth joy and excitement among Filipinos no matter where they are in the world.
Hosts Paolo Abrera and Chal Lontoc-del Rosario will be providing insights and perspectives on each festival, with the first of the series to celebrate Pampanga’s ‘Giant Lantern Festival’ set this coming December 19, 2020.
A virtual launch of the project on December 7 revealed the schedule of events that Filipinos around the world can engage with through Facebook live events and watch parties broadcast through the pages of the Philippine Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
The schedule is as follows:
- December 19, 2020 – Giant Lantern Festival
- January 30, 2021 – Sinulog Festival / Ati-atihan Festival / Dinagyang Festival
- February 27, 2021 – Panagbenga Festival
- March 20, 2021 – Visita Iglesia
- April 24, 2021 – Lami-lamihan Festival
- May 29, 2021 – Flores de Mayo
According to the DFA, the online event will be unlike any other streamed events because viewers may also get their very own ‘Fiesta Pilipinas’ kit that will provide a ‘multi-sensory’ experience that they can use to engage with the live-streamed fiesta celebrations.
Overseas Filipinos who wish to get a kit and participate in the ‘Fiesta Pilipinas’ celebrations may reach out to their nearest Embassy or Consulate.
The project is spearheaded by the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Strategic Communications and Research — Cultural Diplomacy Division, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
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