Kuala Lumpur, 27 November 2024 – The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador and ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC) Philippines Patron Maria Angela Ponce, participated in the ASEAN Ladies Circle Fashion Gala on 22 November 2024, held at Dewan Dr. Siti Hasmah Puspanita.

Philippine delegates Ms. Anna Karina Jardin, Ms. Irish Dianne Ong, and Ms. Hiyasmen Suarez walked the runway in beautiful traditional Filipiniana and Inaul Sarong. The Filipiniana is a classic attire rooted in Filipino heritage, while⁠⁠ Inaul is a famous Maguindanao handwoven fabric, a tubular skirt or “sarong” that wraps around the lower part of the body and worn as a traditional dress by both men and women.

The Philippines served Chicken Lollipop with banana ketchup and pastillas balls, a popular Filipino confection made from milk.

With the theme “Threading ASEAN Unity through Kebaya & Sarong,” the ALC Fashion Gala celebrated the rich cultural heritage of ASEAN by presenting traditional attire and cuisine from each member country. This event also highlighted the ongoing multinational effort by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand to nominate the Kebaya for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listing in December 2024.

Over 200 guests, including dignitaries, diplomats and embassy spouses, ALC members, representatives from Malaysian government agencies, ASEAN business leaders, and media personnel, attended the gala. END