Ankara, Türkiye, 8 October 2024 – The Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara participated in the International Festival, organized by the Bilkent International Community at the Bilkent University in Ankara on 05 October 2024, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, in honor of the National Indigenous Peoples Month.

Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia and Cultural Officer Vanesa T. Sumera describe to the visitors the Philippine traditional handweaves featured at the Philippine booth in the Bilkent International Festival (Embassy Photo). 

The Philippine booth displayed different handweaves – from Inabel, Pinilian, Kantarines and Binakul of Northern Luzon to T’nalak, Yakan Tennun, Landap, Langkit, and Inaul of Mindanao. Visitors explored the unique patterns and colors that highlight the craftsmanship of the traditional Philippine weavers. The weave items were donated to the Embassy by Atty. Evie Medina, owner and designer of HapiHabi Wearable Weaves (HHWW), based in the Philippines.

Members of the Igo (Igorot) ladies, a small group of Filipinos in Ankara who hailed from the Cordilleras, render an Igorot Dance (Embassy photo).

Embassy Attachés Vanesa T. Sumera and Wendell Glenn Gaa and the cultural performers proudly display the Philippine flag and recite Spark-Connect-Empower campaign’s slogan “Pinay Ako, Taas Noo, Pinoy Ako, Proud Ako” at the Bilkent International Festival.

In addition to the display of weaves and cultural and tourism items, the Embassy also served popular Filipino food – turon (banana spring roll), biko (sticky rice cake), and pansit (noodle dish) – to the visitors of the booth.

Members of the Filipino community in Ankara, who are originally from the Cordilleras, performed an Igorot Dance to the tune of “Danum,” a Cordillera song. The dance highlighted the cultural heritage of the Cordilleras and aimed to foster understanding and respect for indigenous traditions.

The Philippines declared the month of October as the National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month in recognition and protection of the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/ IPs, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1906 dated 5 October 2009. The theme for this year is "Katutubong Filipino: Pagtibayin ang Tagumpay 2030 (Indigenous Filipinos: Strengthening the Success by 2030)."

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