27 September 2017 – Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing hosted the tea gathering of the ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC) on 26 September 2017 at the Embassy's Sentro Rizal.

Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana welcomes guests to the tea gathering

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Sta. Romana noted that the ALC gathering is an important opportunity for ASEAN member countries to deepen friendship and strengthen ties. He added that the gathering is the Embassy's contribution to achieving the ASEAN Socio-cultural Community, in which ASEAN aims to be people-oriented and to forge a common identity. 

Director Tang Jinbing of Philippine Team Asia Corporation, assisted by Embassy translator Ms. Wang Yaoxue, delivers a presentation on the multiple uses and benefits of virgin coconut oil.

The program featured a presentation of the many uses and benefits of virgin coconut oil (VCO) by Director Tang Jinbing and Mr. Jiang Xinpei, General Manager from Team Asia Corporation's Shanghai Office. The Embassy also set up the textile exhibit "Honed in Tradition: Philippine Weaves" for viewing of the attendees.

The Philippine textile exhibit "Honed in Tradition: Philippines Weaves" displayed during the gathering

For refreshments, the Embassy served chicken adobo, arroz caldo, pancit  and tuna sandwiches as well as ginataang bilo-bilo, maja blanca, biko, ube halaya, and fresh fruits for desserts. The Embassy also distributed a bag consisting of dried mango, and two (2) bottles of Cocoking VCO to each ASEAN lady as souvenirs. END.