fp Turks and Caicos

The special event, which was sponsored by Digicel in collaboration with Filipino group, Filipino Volunteers at TCI, started at 3 pm amidst gloomy skies and occasional rain showers. The event, nevertheless, was a success.

Digicel Turks & Caicos CEO E. Jay Saunders and some staff were present during the occasion, and other well-wishers.

The afternoon captured Philippine culture through songs, dances and costumes. For most Filipinos, it was nostalgic.

The dances presented during the program were distinct in Filipinos. The crowd marveled at tadek, a ritual dance of thanks for a bountiful harvest danced by an ethnic group from Northern Philippines. Also featured was the dance that featured dancers balancing glasses with lit candles – Pandanggo sa Ilaw.

Native songs were also part of the program. It even featured songs from the different dialects in the Philippines. Although the most widely used language is Tagalog, the 7, 107 islands of the Philippines has numerous native languages spread all over the archipelago.

The rich cuisine and the flavorful dishes of Filipinos also attracted attention. Foods such as lechon (whole pig slowly roasted over charcoal and is the national food of the Philippines), pansit, puto, biko, lumpiang sariwa, just to name a few. Guests from other nationalities were delighted to have tasted those Philippine delicacies.

Although the word fiesta is Spanish, Filipinos have made it their own. In the Philippines, it is not unusual for entire towns to participate in the celebration. The decorations, costumes and events are often both expensive and lavish.

Hilton Brown, a Jamaican national and one of the spectators liked the presentations and the foods as well.

“I am happy to see this wonderful program. It is very good to see Philippine culture”.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jenvere Sayao, President of the Filipino association expressed thanks to everyone who supported.

“I am overwhelmed with the support of Digicel and fellow Filipinos in the Turks and Caicos. It is my hope that this will signal the beginning of more good things and that such support will be perpetual. It really makes me happy to think that our culture is being embraced here. It is such an honor and privilege. We are very distant from home but activities like this bring us closer to it.”

Another set of cultural feast is scheduled for next Saturday, November 14, 2009. Digicel entices everyone to join and share with the festivities of the day.