Highlights of PH independence celebration in Kuala Lumpur

CELEBRATING PH INDEPENDENCE THROUGH FASHION, MUSIC Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya (3rd from left) with wife Rena Cristina and daughter Jana Ariana walked the runway during the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of PH independence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 12 at Taman Mahsuri Hall of The Royale Chulan. The fashion show was directed by Raymond Villanueva. It also featured designers Gina Frias-Himpe and Joel Bautista. Guest of honor was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Sen. Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan.

Philippine fashion and music took centerstage at the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s commemoration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, held on June 12 at Taman Mahsuri Hall of The Royale Chulan in central Kuala Lumpur.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Sen. Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan was the event’s guest of honor, together with his wife, Datin Law Hung Lai. They joined around 400 guests from the diplomatic corps, the Malaysian government, businessmen, fashionistas and members of the Filipino community.

“Philippine fashion and music are two features that we are proud of as a people. Our designers and musicians are making waves around the world, dressing up celebrities and influential people, and entertaining them at the same time.

The embassy decided to put a twist to our diplomatic reception by adding a fashion show, and we are glad that it worked,” Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

Making his debut in the Malaysian fashion scene is Manila-based designer Joel Bautista, who showed off his Filipiniana collection, together with Kuala Lumpur-based accessories designer Gina Frias-Himpe in a fashion show directed by Manila-based fashion director Raymond Villanueva. Taking the runway as models were members of the Filipino community and embassy officers and staff.

Adding more color to the reception were flutist Roberto Tarang, violinist Maria Liza Lopez-Tarang and pianist Marius Villaroman, who entertained audiences with Filipino and Malaysian classical pieces. They flew in to Malaysia with support from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Joining the trio for a surprise rendition of Ernani Cuenco’s “Nahan” were Ambassador Malaya on piano and Career Minister and Consul Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena on flute.

The cocktail reception featured Filipino and Malaysian cuisine such as lamb adobo, pancit palabok, chocnut suman and turon. It was prepared by The Royale Chulan, with assistance from Manila-based chef Jose Marco Antonio Legasto, who flew in for the occasion. This is Legasto’s third year in helping prepare the National Day feast.

During the occasion, the book “Philippines-Malaysia Agreements (1962-2014): Cornerstones of a Partnership” was also launched. The book covers 20 agreements, protocols and declarations signed between the two countries in the fields of culture, education, political, economic, tourism, environment, defense and law enforcement cooperation.

The compendium includes an overview of Philippine-Malaysia relations, a chronology of significant events in the two countries’ relations and the embassy’s major activities during the last three years.

Lending support to the event were the NCCA, PLDT Malaysia/Smart Pinoy, Cebu Pacific Airlines and BML Enterprises.