30 November 2012 - In a bid to boost Philippine exports of Christmas ornaments to Canada, the Philippine Embassy orchestrated Philippine participation in the 2012 Christmas Tree Decorating Challenge of the Canadian Museum of Civilization located in the Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan area.

Now on its third year, the Museum's Challenge affords local community organizations a space to express their identity by way of Christmas trees representative of their culture or advocacy.

Through the Department of Foreign Affairs' International Economic Relations Office, TN Philippines, an outstanding home décor exporter, supplied trimmings for the Philippine entry. Aptly named "Woodland Christmas", the unique Philippine tree is adorned with eco-friendly sipak balls, capiz shells and brush art animals made of buri.

Video calling from Manila, TN Philippines' Al Caronan personally supervised the installation of his finely crafted Christmas ornaments. Not unlike the easy integration of Filipino migrants in Canada's multicultural mosaic, Mr. Caronan's motif seamlessly fused Philippine indigenous materials with Canadian fauna such as owls, bears, cardinals, reindeer, raccoon, hedgehogs, foxes, squirrel, moose, deer and beavers.

Miss Gloria Caronan and Ms. Jasmine Domey assisted the Embassy in decorating the Philippine tree proudly standing at the Museum's David M. Stewart Salon. The Philippines' "Woodland Christmas" tree is presented by the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Heritage Foundation with the support of TN Philippines.

Local participants in the Challenge include the Canadian Slovak League, the Irish Society of the National Capital Region, the Polish Women's Federation, the Embassy of the Netherlands, and the Salvadorian Canadian Association of Ottawa, among others.

From 30 November 2012 until 6 January 2013, Museum visitors are invited to vote for their favorite tree. The winner of the 2012 Christmas Tree Decorating challenge by popular vote will be given the honor a decorating a larger tree at the Museum in 2013. The Philippine Embassy is enjoining Filipinos living in the Ottawa-Gatineau area to visit the Museum and vote for the Philippine entry.

"We heartily thank the multi-awarded designer and entrepreneur Al Caronan for devoting his energy and talent to our latest trade promotion initiative. His creative exploits, whether as a member of the renowned Movement 8 or on his own, have kept Philippine home décor exports on par with the world's best," Philippine Ambassador Leslie B. Gatan stated. END