PRESS RELEASE
PR-141-2023
(28 November 2023, Singapore) – Diplomatic missions from the ASEAN Member Countries in Singapore, led by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, ASEAN Chair for 2023, held the ASEAN Gala Night at the Grand Ballroom of Orchard Hotel on Tuesday, 21 November 2023, with the theme “Harmonious ASEAN in Diversity.”
Held annually, the ASEAN Gala Night seeks to promote ASEAN culture and strengthen solidarity, connectivity, and integration in the region. Since its inception in 2010, it has served as a culminating event to mark the conclusion of the current ASEAN Chairmanship and the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the incoming Chair. It showcases each country’s tourism, culture, and culinary delights.
This year’s guest of honor was Mr. Albert Chua, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Other guests included representatives from the Embassies and High Commissions of the ASEAN in Singapore, as well as the regional organization’s dialogue and development partners. The event also saw a symbolic handover ceremony of the ASEAN Chairmanship, from Indonesian Ambassador Suryo Pratomo to Lao Ambassador Sengkeo Pouangpadith.
This year, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore highlighted Paskong Pinoy or Philippine Christmas – the most-awaited holiday season in the Philippines, ushered in by the first -BER month, SeptemBER. Singapore-based Filipino soprano Angela Cortez rendered a performance of “Christmas in our Hearts”, a well-loved popular Christmas song by Filipino artist Jose Mari Chan.
Philippine Embassy personnel magically created a Paskong Pinoy booth to depict the colorful, bright and joyful holiday season that Filipinos all over the world enjoy. The booth had a nipa hut backdrop adorned with a banig wall from Cebu, which was brightly lit by capiz lanterns or parols from Pampanga. Filipino favorite dishes such as chicken adobo, pan de sal,and halo-halo from Max’s Singapore were served on Inabel-covered tables. Two lucky raffle winners each won a roundtrip Singapore-Cebu ticket, courtesy of Cebu Pacific Metro Tours. (END)
