THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN LISBON PARTICIPATES IN THE ANNUAL DIPLOMATIC BAZAAR PROMOTING PRODUCTS MADE BY WOMEN FROM RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
(fifth from right) Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria, along Philippine Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino community, take a snapshot with the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas (center)
15 November 2022, LISBON –The Philippine Embassy in Portugal, showcased the best of Philippine made products woven and crafted by women from rural communities in the Philippines at the annual diplomatic bazaar organized by the Association of Families of Portuguese Diplomats in Lisbon, which was held from 11 to 12 November 2022 at the Lisbon Congress Center.
Through the Philippine Embassy’s participation in the Diplomatic Bazaar, it was able to continue its advocacy of generating more interest about the Philippines by creating a visually inviting booth; investing in quality Philippine made products; as well as promoting Philippine cultural and economic diplomacy programs in Portugal.
The Philippine Embassy has been utilizing this annual event to continue to raise awareness about the Philippines in Portugal through the promotion of the country’s cultural and creative industries. The Philippine products at the Diplomatic Bazaar were carefully curated to reflect the ingenuity of Filipino workmanship and design, showcasing products made by women from rural communities in the country.
This year’s Philippine booth stood out from among the other embassies with its 4-meter high backdrop featuring the limestone cliffs of Palawan nestled on the blue waters of the island. As in the past, the Philippine booth was an easy favorite of the Portuguese bazaar clients.
Colorful eco-bags, bags and pouches from Basey, Samar were among the best sellers during the two-day event, as well as woven pandan baskets and placemats from Negros Occidental.
A variety of Philippine products made by women in rural communities were the products highlighted in the Philippine booth during the 2022 Diplomatic Bazaar, held at the Lisbon Congress Center.
A satisfied Portuguese shopper buys one of the best seller items in the Philippine booth, a foldable basket from Artisana Island Crafts.
GustoKo by Paula Figueras, the Lisbon-based bag and fashion accessories business owned by Filipinas Ms. Paula Figueras and Ms. Maria Queennie De Guzman, also formed part of the Philippine booth. GustoKo products, which are all handcrafted in the Philippines, are known in Portugal for their style and high quality.
Some of the high quality and trendy bags sold by GustoKo at the 2022 Diplomatic Bazaar
Ambassador Celia Anna M. Feria, together with the staff of the Philippine Embassy and GustoKo owners, just before the opening of the “Bazar Diplomatico”.
Every year, the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, visits the booths of the participating Embassies for the traditional souvenir photo. This year, the President was accompanied by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas. Ambassador Feria gifted the Portuguese President with a set of salad servers made of coconut wood and mother of pearl inlay, while the Lisbon Mayor received the foldable woven baskets from Negros Occidental.
Participating in the annual Diplomatic Bazaar in Lisbon is a way for the Philippine Embassy to help the many Portuguese charities who are beneficiaries of the bazaar, while at the same time promoting and supporting women weavers in rural Philippines by buying their products and bringing them to Lisbon for the bazaar. The Philippine Embassy booth was among the top 5 donors in last year’s bazaar. (END)
