(RIYADH, 21 January 2014) – The Ladies Group of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, led by Mdm. Jasmine J. Alferez, spouse of Minister and Consul-General Marshall Louis Alferez, hosted the first ASEAN Women’s Circle (AWC) General Meeting of the year at the Philippine Ambassador’s Residence in the Diplomatic Quarter on 16 January 2014.

The meeting was attended by the spouses of the Ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Viet Nam, and senior lady representatives from Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

The AWC discussed its plans for activities during the current year, including visits to renowned Saudi cultural sites and the holding of competitive sporting events. The AWC also bid farewell to its members who were ending their tour of duty in Riyadh this quarter.

The event was also an opportunity to promote Philippine culinary traditions as reflected by the all-Filipino menu and topped by a demonstration on how to create the best halo-halo dessert.

The AWC is an informal group composed of ladies from the different ASEAN diplomatic missions in Riyadh aimed at celebrating the diversity of Southeast Asian culture and the oneness of the ASEAN identity.

Apart from its participation in the AWC, the Philippine Embassy Ladies Group also strives to undertake activities that help promote Philippine culture to the wider public in Saudi Arabia. (END)