GOVPH

Mercadinho Filipino Opens in Castelo de Vide

Mercadinho Filipino Opens in Castelo de Vide as part of the Philippine Weekend Celebrations

Castelo de Vide, Portugal 06 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, in partnership with the Municipality of Castelo de Vide, officially opened the Mercadinho Filipino on 06 June 2025 at the Parque João José da Luz.  This event forms part of the “Philippine Weekend” festivities commemorating the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The Mercadinho Filipino offered a vibrant and immersive cultural experience, highlighting the richness and diversity of the Philippines through its cuisine, artisanal crafts, music, traditional games, and tourism. By transforming the Municipal Garden of Castelo de Vide into a lively Filipino cultural space, the Philippine Embassy brought a glimpse of the Philippines to Portugal.

The program began in the afternoon, welcoming locals and tourists to explore a variety of Philippine booths. Among the highlights were Kusina Filipina by Deena Suganob and Bella’s Catering by Roberth Javier, two Filipino community food entrepreneurs. GustoKo also featured a curated selection of high-quality fashion accessories, intricately handmade bags, and elegant home decorations. Each piece reflected the exceptional craftsmanship of Filipino artisans, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics and crafted using sustainable, ethically sourced materials.

The Philippine Embassy also set up a booth dedicated to promoting the Philippines as a world-class travel destination. Visitors were invited to learn more about the archipelago’s unique features through informative tourism brochures and 3D holographic luggage tags featuring iconic Philippine destinations. A featured highlight was the sampling and promotion of the internationally awarded Ube Cream Liqueur, recognized for its refined taste and proudly Filipino character. To further immerse the community in Filipino tradition, visitors were encouraged to try classic Filipino games, such as sungka and dama.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers also showcased a brief preview performance on the evening of the Mercadinho opening. The appearance was well-received and generated anticipation for their concert on 07 June at the Igreja Matriz.

The Mercadinho Filipino ran until 08 June 2025 as part of the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Filipinos and Portuguese and enhance deeper intercultural understanding between Philippine and Portugal. 

PH Ambassador Courtesy Call on Mayor of Castelo de Vide

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Pays Courtesy Call on Mayor of Castelo de Vide to Mark “Philippine Weekend” Celebrations

Castelo de Vide, 06 June 2025 -  Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Paul Raymund P. Cortes, paid a courtesy call on Mayor António Pita of the Municipality of Castelo de Vide on Wednesday, 04 June 2025, ahead of the Philippine weekend celebrations taking place from 06 to 08 June 2025 in Castelo de Vide, Portugal.

Organized by the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon in partnership with the Municipality of Castelo de Vide and the Terras sem Sombra Festival, the “Philippine Weekend” forms part of the celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. Ambassador Cortes was joined by members of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, who are set to perform a special concert at the historic Igreja Matriz on Saturday, 07 June, 2025 at 9:30pm. The concert is part of the Terras sem Sombra Festival, where the Philippines is currently the Country Guest of Honor.

Complementing the cultural program is the Mercadinho Filipino (Filipino Little Market), which will run from Friday to Sunday and will feature Filipino cuisine, Philippine-made products, and artisanal crafts. The weekend’s events offer Portuguese and international audiences a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Filipino culture and traditions.

During the courtesy call, Ambassador Cortes conveyed his deepest gratitude to Mayor Pita and the people of Castelo de Vide for their warm hospitality. He emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges in strengthening ties.

Ambassador Cortes expressed hope that the Philippine Madrigal Singers would get to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Castelovidenses. He also wished that the concert would serve as “a bridge between Philippines and Portugal despite the geographical distance. In the end, all that matters is our humanity.”

Mayor Pita welcomed the Philippine delegation and expressed his appreciation for the Embassy’s active role in fostering cultural cooperation.

The celebration of Philippine Independence in Castelo de Vide is a meaningful expression of friendship, cultural solidarity, and shared values between the Philippines and Portugal.

Through the  planned festivities in Castelo de Vide, the Philippine Embassy aims to share Filipino culture and heritage, and strengthen the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Portugal. END

PH-ANGOLA TOURISM COOPERATION

PHILIPPINES AND ANGOLA EXPLORE TOURISM COOPERATION IN FIRST BILATERAL BUSINESS FORUM

Lisbon, 30 May 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, together with the PH-Angola Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAF), and in coordination with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Angola’s Ministry of Tourism, and AIPEX, successfully held the First Philippines-Angola Business Forum on Sustainable Tourism on 30 May 2025 via virtual platform.

The Forum was held at the Philippine Honorary Consulate General’s Office in Dipanda, Angola, under the leadership of Honorary Consul General Etienne Brechet, with Honorary Consul Megan Brechet-Amamou as Forum host.

With the theme “Sustainable Tourism: A Pathway to Economic and Cultural Development,” the Forum brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and tourism stakeholders from both countries to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation, tourism development, and sustainable investment, with particular focus on promoting Namibe Province as an emerging tourism destination.

The Philippine side shared its experiences in tourism policy development, post-pandemic recovery efforts, sustainable tourism strategies, and private sector engagement. Presentations covered the Philippines’ legal and institutional frameworks, ecotourism strategies, tourism infrastructure investments, and approaches to ensuring that tourism development preserves cultural heritage and ecological integrity.

Angola’s delegation, led by Angola’s Ministry of Tourism and CCIAF, presented tourism potential of Namibe province, identifying opportunities in eco- and adventure tourism, resort development, and cultural tourism, and expressed keen interest in building business partnerships with Philippine stakeholders.

The Angolan side also conveyed their utmost appreciation for the comprehensive presentations provided by the Philippine speakers and expressed a strong desire to learn from the Philippines’ expertise in sustainable tourism development.

The Forum concluded with mutual interest in pursuing reciprocal business missions, tourism training exchanges, and joint promotional efforts to advance sustainable tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Angola.