(Top to Bottom: Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez, spouse of H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey, with DMEDD officials and spouses of Heads of the Diplomatic Missions in Ankara,  and the Embassy ladies; Philippine pearls proudly on diplay at the bazaar; Buyers at the Philippine booth;  Madame Hernandez with the Filipinos in Ankara with the best of Filipino food onsale; and Filipinos perform the Tinikling to the delight of visitors at the bazaar;  – Embassy Photos)

(H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey and Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez with the Ankara PE Team personnel and their respective families. – Embassy Photo)

The Philippine Embassy successfully participated in the annual charity bazaar organized by the Spouses Solidarity Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey (DMEDD)  on 01 December 2019 at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center in Ankara.  

 Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez, spouse of H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey, led the country’s participation to the DMEDD bazaar in coordination with Ms. Sheila H. Solas, Cultural Officer and Attache and supported by  the Embassy team and family members.

 For the country’s fifth participation, showcased were Philippine freshwater pearls, native wear and decor while members of the Filipino community groups in Ankara promoted native Filipino food delicacies.  The country’s participation again drew big crowds among bazaar visitors, including Turkish MFA officials, especially for the pearls.

The bazaar also featured the country’s “Tinikling” performed by selected members of the Filipino Community in Ankara. The performance generated great interest from the audience with a number willingly participated to dance with the performers.

Since its founding in 1981, DMEDD has been helping Turkey through various charity projects, notable of which is its annual Bazaar, already considered a landmark event in Ankara that attracts a great number of visitors each year. Proceeds from the Bazaar will be donated to DMEDD's charity works and projects. Last year, DMEDD donated proceeds for the renovation and improvements of seven SPED pre-schools in Ankara. #