Clockwise from top: Members of the Filipino community visit the Philippine booth; Event organizers acknowledge the Philippines during the program; Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia join other Ambassadors and local officials during the First Nations Smudging Ceremony; Visitors queue up for Filipino food during the event.

 5 May 2018, Gatineau - Hundreds of residents of the Ottawa – Gatineau area flocked to Gatineau City Hall’s Maison du citoyen (Citizen’s House) on Saturday, 5 May 2018, as different Asian countries put up cultural displays and performances for “Experience Asia 2018” in commemoration of Canada’s Asian Heritage Month.

The Philippines created its own exhibit featuring images, textiles, and handicrafts from its islands and served samples of traditional Filipino pancit bihon (rice noodles with chicken and vegetables) and maja blanca (coconut pudding with corn). Visitors to the booth were also given the opportunity to win “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” giveaways such as T-Shirts, luggage tags, bags, travel wallets, and postcards courtesy of the Department of Tourism. END.