ICONIC FILIPINO DISHES SHOWCASED AT THE 2024 ASEAN FOOD FESTIVAL IN KENYA

The ASEAN Handshake. From left to right: Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Mr. Torsak Janpian (Thailand), Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Assistant Director Benedict Watamba (Kenya), Ambassador Mohamad Hery Saripudin (Indonesia), Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (The Philippines), High Commissioner Ruzaimi Mohamad (Malaysia).

 NAIROBI, 09 November 2024 — Iconic Filipino dishes drew the spotlight alongside other Southeast Asian favorites at this year’s ASEAN Food Festival held at the Village Market in Nairobi.

Organized by the ASEAN Committee in Nairobi (ACN)--consisting of the diplomatic missions of the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia—the festival celebrated the diversity of Southeast Asian culinary heritage.

Indonesian Ambassador Saripudin speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 ASEAN Food Festival.

In his opening remarks, ACN Vice-Chair and Indonesian Ambassador Mohamad Hery Saripudin emphasized how food transcends borders, bringing people together.  He also highlighted the festival as a platform to demonstrate the unity of the ASEAN diaspora and its role in promoting people-to-people ties between ASEAN nations, Kenya, and the broader community.

Southeast Asian Food Booths. Clockwise: The Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia.

This year’s festival featured a wide variety of Southeast Asian cuisine, with each ASEAN mission sharing its culinary traditions, and drew a diverse mix of visitors, from Kenyans to expats.

The Philippine booth boasts favorite Filipino culinary delights. Upper left: Chef Ms. Marilou Moises (middle) with members of the Filipino community in Kenya. Upper right: Ambassador Tang introduces the array of Filipino food to the ASEAN Ambassadors and Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives.

At the Philippine booth, festivalgoers enjoyed a broad selection of Filipino dishes prepared by the Filipino Community in Kenya.  Highlights included iconic staples such as the chicken adobo, lumpiang shanghai, pansit, chicken inasal, and pork barbecue, as well as popular street foods like fish balls and squid balls, and desserts such as leche flan, puto, kutsinta, and sapin-sapin.

Other ASEAN booths delighted visitors with regional favorites, including Indonesia’s traditional bakso (meatball soup), Malaysia’s signature nasi lemak, and Thailand’s beloved mango sticky rice.

Philippine Embassy Third Secretary and Vice Consul Danna Paula Olaya (leftmost) and Indonesian Embassy Third Secretary Muhamad Farhan Faruq (rightmost) facilitated the raffle draw.

Festival attendees also had the chance to win prizes from sponsors, including Kenya Airways, Emirates, Indomie, Apollo and Golden Africa.

“The annual ASEAN Food Festival not only celebrates the richness of Southeast Asian cuisine but also fosters cultural exchange and connection,” remarked Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang. END

04 November 2024 — On this day of national mourning, the Philippine Embassy in Kenya joins the nation in honoring the lives lost and communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

PHILIPPINES HIGHLIGHTS DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS AT KENYA SYMPOSIUM

14 October 2024, Nairobi – Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang emphasized the dignity and rights of older persons at a symposium held today at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, commemorating the International Day of Older Persons.

In her remarks, Ambassador Tang recognized the global demographic shift where the ageing population is projected to soon outnumber the youth. She highlighted key Philippine laws, policies, and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for elderly Filipinos, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to society. Among the legislations she cited was the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which grants various privileges and extends government assistance to senior citizens in the areas of healthcare, social pension, employment, and education.

Ambassador Tang also underscored the Philippines’ active participation in various UN platforms advocating for the inclusion of older persons’ rights in key international frameworks and UN resolutions. She reaffirmed the country’s longstanding commitment to championing the adoption of a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons.

The 2024 symposium, themed “Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons”, was organized by the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) – Kenya in collaboration with key partners, aimed at awareness and discussing issues affecting older persons in Kenya. END.

Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang shares information on Philippine laws and initiatives for senior citizens

More than 200 Kenyans who previously worked in various UN agencies participated in the symposium to discuss and gather best practices on improving the lives of elderly Kenyans across the country