Beijing, China – Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana welcomed delegations of Ambassadors and their spouses, as well as women diplomats, from ASEAN Member States’ diplomatic mission in Beijing to the tea gathering of the ASEAN Ladies’ Circle on 22 November 2021 at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal.

With the theme “The Warmth of the Tropics in Beijing”, Ambassador Sta. Romana hoped “that this reminder of warm tropical beaches will bring back the memories of the sunshine and balmy weather we have back home in Southeast Asia”, as the Philippines prepares to reopen its borders for inbound tourism as a way to full recovery, allowing tourists from green countries or territories that have majority of its population vaccinated, taking the cue from Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia and Cambodia.

While travel to and from Southeast Asia faces many restrictions, the Embassy, together with its partner agencies from the Agriculture, Tourism, Police and Defense offices, highlighted the distinct Filipino spirit, hospitality and heart through the performances, food and delicacies, images holiday destinations, and Filipiniana fashion.

The ASEAN Ladies’ Circle is a monthly gathering aimed to promote mutual understanding and encourage cultural exchanges among its members, to celebrate the diversity of Southeast Asian culture and ASEAN unity and identity, to disseminate information on the ideals and objectives of ASEAN, and to promote gender equality and the advancement of women and children in the ASEAN region.

Moreover, the event aims to provide the space for ALC members to share ideas, stories and experiences of being women diplomats and diplomatic spouses in Beijing, and contribute to strengthening the Philippines’ One Country Team Approach (OCTA). END