Press Release
PR No. ETA-02-2023
Philippine cuisine and OPM songs showcased at the Asian Food and Music Festival in Jeddah
11 March 2024, Jeddah – Filipino cuisine and music were showcased at the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC)-organized Asian Food and Music Festival held on 8 March 2024 at the Pakistan International School in Jeddah. During the activity, Filipino songs (OPM) as well as Pinoy street foods were featured to hundreds of guests from the Saudi government offices, Saudi business community, and members of the diplomatic corps from ACGC member countries.
Mr. Adnan A. Murad (center), Director of Protocol Affairs of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Guest of Honor at the activity, visited the Philippine booth where he had a taste of Philippine street foods. Consul Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang (2nd from right) assisted him and described to him some of the Filipino dishes. Also in photo is Mr. Khalid Majid, Consul General of the Pakistan Consulate General in Jeddah (2nd from left)
Director Adnan Murad of MOFA visiting the Philippine booth and having samples of Filipino cuisine
The Consuls General of the member countries of the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC) with MOFA Director Adnan Murad. Jeddah PCG was represented at the event by Consul Alfred Kristoffer Guiang (rightmost)
The event was divided into two parts: first, the Asian Music Festival, where different countries showcased their respective songs, dances, and music. For the Philippines, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) were performed by Jeddah-based Filipino musicians Ms. Thessa Ladroma and Mr. Alfie Peñaflor. The duo wowed the audience with their powerful rendition of the songs “Umagang Kay Ganda”, “Hanggang”, “My Love Will See You Through”, and “Pinoy Ako”.
Filipino singers Ms. Thessa Ladroma (left) and Mr. Alfie Peñaflor (right) serenading the guests with beautiful Filipino songs
At the Asian Food Festival, the guests, who were Saudi locals and members of the international community in Jeddah were treated to delicious and popular Filipino street foods, such as puto, ube halaya, kutsinta, turon, tusok-tusok (such as barbeque, inihaw na atay, paa ng manok), kwek-kwek, fishballs, sago’t gulaman, and halo-halo, among others. The Pinoy street foods, which were a massive hit among the guests, were prepared by the International Community Training Center (Intercom), a Filipino-owned and operated training center in Jeddah.
The Philippine booth at the Asian Food Festival
The event was graced by H.E. Mr. Adnan Murad, Director of Protocol Affairs of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and different Consuls General of ACGC member countries.
The ACGC is a grouping of fourteen (14) Asian Consulates General in Jeddah, including, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Thailand. The Club’s objectives are to foster cooperation among the member countries on matters of mutual concern, and to promote greater awareness and understanding of the members’ respective cultures and traditions. END
