CAIRO—The Philippine Embassy in this city, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, Foreign Relations Sector and the Cairo Opera House, participated in a series of 27 artistic performances during Ramadan at the Cairo Opera House on May 4.
”Ramadan Nights: The Philippines” featured dances and the country’s musical heritage, with special focus on customs and traditions characterizing the Islamic holy month in the country.
A total of 140 guests from the diplomatic corps, international organizations, the local Filipino community, as well as Egyptian government officials and friends joined the celebration.
Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Sulpicio M. Confiado welcomed the guests, with a core message of “Deepening Friendship,” as well as a commemoration of the Holy Month of Ramadan for the Muslim community.
In his remarks, Foreign Relations Sector of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture First Undersecretary Dr. Amir Nabih underscored the importance of working together to enrich the cultural link between the Philippines and Egypt.
“Ramadan Nights” showcased the talents of volunteers from the Filipino community in Egypt, and an audiovisual presentation of Ramadan in the Philippines, which was produced in cooperation with the Philippine Students Association in Cairo.
The show featured Pinoy folk dances—including banga, kapa malong-malong, bulaklakan, pangalay, sayaw sa cuyo, La Jota Caviteña and wasiwas, while a Filipino chorale sang Ya Ramadan—a Maguindanaoan song, as well as other musical favorites.
“Ramadan Nights” is part of the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as National Heritage Month this May. DFA