(fourth from left) Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria, along with the officer and staff  of the Philippine Embassy and members of the Filipino community, take a snapshot with the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

20 December 2021, LISBON – After a one-year hiatus, the annual diplomatic bazaar organized by the Association of Families of Portuguese Diplomats in Lisbon was held from 26 to 27 November 2021 at the Lisbon Congress Center.The Philippine Embassy in Portugal, along with other embassies and international organizations based in Lisbon, showcased their products, traditions and cuisine to the Portuguese public.

The Philippine Embassy’s participation in the Diplomatic Bazaar is part of its efforts to promote Philippine cultural and economic diplomacy in Portugal by showcasing the best of Philippine-made products. The Philippine Embassy has used this important event as a strategic soft power tool to continue to raise the level of the Philippine identity in Portugal through the promotion of the country’s cultural and creative industries.  The Philippine products at the Diplomatic Bazaar are carefully curated to reflect the ingenuity of Filipino workmanship.

This year’s Philippine booth promoted a variety of products made by women organizations in rural communities. Colorful placemats, coin purses, eco-bags, and pouches from Mabaysay by Eva Marie Arts & Craft were among the best sellers during the two-day event. These items were woven by rural women in the communities of Basey, Samar using dried ticog leaves, showcased the rich and artistic weaving traditions in the Philippines.

The diversity and variety of Philippine products displayed at the 2021 Diplomatic Bazaar at the Lisbon Congress Center.

Hand-crafted products from Artisana Island Crafts based in Negros Occidental  were also a hit with the  Portuguese shoppers. Foldable baskets, coasters, placemats, hot pads made from woven natural pandan fibers, with some pandanpieces  interwoven with ceramic, all crafted by women from the island of Negros Occidental.  Also featured were  Christmascapiz decorations from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

GustoKo by Paula Figueras (https://shop-gustoko.com)  a Lisbon-based bag and fashion accessories business owned by Filipinas  Ms. Paula Figueras and Ms. Queennie De Guzman,  also formed part of the Philippine booth. GustoKo products are all made in the Philippines and known to be very stylish and considered  high-end fashion in Portugal.   GustoKo has been a partner of the Philippine Embassy in Portugal in its various cultural and economic diplomacy activities that promote the preservation of Philippine culture and heritage through high-quality products produced by women.

The Philippine booth was also featured on the  live morning show by the Portuguese national television station (TVI).  During the  live interview just before the bazaar opened to the public, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Celia Anna M. Feria guided the viewing public to the wide array of unique Philippine made products on display.  Proceeds from the bazaar went to chosen charitable  organizations in Portugal focusing on poverty alleviation. The bazaar became a way for the Embassy to help the less fortunate in Portugal, while at the same time helping women weavers in rural communities in the Philippines sell their products abroad.

Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria during  a  live television interview by TVI,  a Portuguese national television station

The highlight of the annual diplomatic bazaar is always the visit of Portuguese  President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to all the Embassy booths including the Philippines, followed by a photo op.  This is the President’s way of thanking the Embassies for participating in this bazaar for a cause.  Ambassador Feria gifted the Portuguese President with a two-bottle wine holder made from pandan leaves and two bottles of Sto. Niño Port white wine from Adega de Sabrosa. Ambassador Feria took the opportunity to invite the Portuguese President to the ongoing exhibition entitled, Sto. Niño de Cebu: An Icon of Philippine Culture and History which will take place from 09 December 2021 to 06 February 2022 in the Museo de São Roque. 

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (left) receives from Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria a two-bottle wine holder made frompandan leaves made by women from Negros Occidental and two bottles of Sto. Niño Port white wine from Adega de Sabrosa.

Shoppers and passers-by were also given a glimpse of the year-end cultural project of the Philippine Embassy by witnessing for the second time around a large-scale colorful backdrop of the annual Sinulog Dance Festival in Cebu and by receiving leaflets promoting the Sto. Niño exhibition in Museo de Sao Roque.

The annual Diplomatic Bazaar is a charity event organized every year which provides an opportunity for embassies accredited in Lisbon to support social organizations and to showcase and promote products and traditions of their respective countries.