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Embassy Commemorates 75 Years of PH-FR Relations through La Petite Couture Philippine

^{Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West and spouse Mr. John West (sixth and seventh form left), pose at the Hall of Marriages exhibit area with the Philippine Embassy personnel. (Photo credit: Jan Levent)}

23 September 2022, Paris – The Philippine Embassy opened the exhibit La Petite Couture Philippine by John C. Ablaza on 20 September at the Mairie du XVeme, 71 Av. Henri Martin, 75016 Paris, as one of its commemorative events for the 75th anniversary of Philippines-France diplomatic relations.

John Ablaza is a Filipino fashion designer whose works were shown in the United States, Canada and Zimbabwe. He conceptualized the miniature haute couture gowns and vestments in 2015 and it came into fruition in 2016.

The pieces were mounted on 20-inch mini mannequins, using various fabrics from the Philippines including jusi, silk cocoon, piña, cotton and ramie.

The pieces were also embellished with coconut shell, coconut beads, wooden beads, lumbang seeds, and sea shells, which are abundant in areas in the Philippines auch as Mindoro Bicol, Cebu, Bohol and Aklan.

^{A few of the miniature pieces named after women that inspired the artist. (Photo credit: Michiko Ann Acaylar)}

Aside from the miniature pieces. The exhibit also featured four full-size gowns – the Mangyan gowns. These pieces were created employing women of the Mangyan tribe that John Ablaza trained in the intricacies of creating the gowns. They worked on these gowns for over 2,000 hours.

^{The full-size Mangyan gowns. (Photo credit: Michiko Ann Acaylar)}

The reception was graced by Mayor Francis Szpiner of the 16th district, who welcomed guests to the mairie (townhall). Filipino performers singer Dennis Astorga and guitarist Franco Maigue serenaded guests with Filipino, French and English songs. Guests were also treated to a 15-minute fashion show featuring John Ablaza’s latest creations.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West invited guests working in the fashion industry to “consider Philippine-made fabrics and raw materials in your next design and help us create awareness of our artisanal traditions.”

^{Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West (center) giving her opening remarks with international fashion designer John Ablaza (left) and Mayor of the 16th district Francis Szpiner (right). (Photo credit: Jan Levent)}

^{Crowd listening intently to the Ambassador's remarks}

More information about John Ablaza and photos of the exhibit and reception may be found in the following links: https://www.facebook.com/EcoFashionArtist https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5854067841290766&type=3 The exhibit opened to the public on 21 September and will conclude on 24 September 2022. END

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Embassy Commemorates 75 Years of PH-FR Relations at the Village International de la Gastronomie

^{Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West (second form right), Chef Tatung (third from left), and Ms. Rosemarie Chazelas of Espace Philippin (rightmost) pose in front of the Philippine stall on the opening day of the Village International de la Gastronomie. (Photo credit: Jan Levent)}

07 September 2022, Paris – The Philippine Embassy in Paris in partnership with Isla Pilipinas and Espace Philippin commemorated the 75th anniversary of Philippine and France diplomatic relations at the Village International de la Gastronomie (International Gastronomy Village) on 1 to 4 September 2022.

The food fest is held annually (except during the period of COVID restrictions) under the patronage of President Emmanuel Macron. The Philippines was among 41 countries featured in the Village which was dubbed by the organizers as “the world’s largest event dedicated to popular cuisines.”

Since 2016, the food fest has brought together embassies, representatives of foreign communities in Paris, chefs, artists, food writers and thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West expressed pride in the crowd’s reception of Philippine cuisine that was prepared by Ms. Jen Sunga who has been participating in the Village since 2017, and Ms. Maricel Peña, who started to partner with Ms. Sunga in 2018. They are both from the Filipino organization Isla Pilipinas. Misses Sunga and Peña manned the Philippine stall while another Filipina, Ms. Rosemarie Chazelas, founder of Espace Philippin, was part of the organizing team for the whole event.

In addition to food stalls, the food festival also featured cultural performances and cooking demonstrations.

Ambassador Mahilum-West introduced Chef Tatung (Michael Giovan A. Sarthou), who demonstrated the simple way of preparing kinilaw and adobo before a crowd that eagerly tasted his creations.

^{Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West introducing Chef Tatung during the adobo cooking demo on 2 September 2022 (Photo:Rosemarie Chazelas)}

^{Chef Tatung (extreme right) cooks adobo and kinilaw as Chefs Joan Fernandez (center) and Cyril Rouquet-Prévost translate. (Photo:Rosemarie Chazelas)}

Performances from FilCom associations Ifugao France Association, Las Damas de Rizal, Kababaihang Rizalista Inc., Pinoy Jam Paris and Simple Movers 2022 were also featured on the main stage and in front of the Philippine stall.

^{Las Damas de Rizal and Kababihang Rizalista waiting for their turn to perform Pandanggo Oasiwas at the main stage (Photo: Nenette Brosas)}

^{Pinoy Jam Paris performing at the main stage (Photo: Dennis Astorga)}

^{Simple Movers 2022 performing on the main stage}

^{Ifugao in France Association performing in front of the Philippine Stall}

Select visitors to the Philippine stall received giveaways from the Department of Tourism, Frankfurt and Fiesta Filipinas kits. QR codes were created for the Fiesta Filipinas Kits for easy access to previous episodes.