HONG KONG — The Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC-HK) in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General Hong Kong (PCGHK), with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry – Baguio Benguet (DTI-Baguio Benguet), and the Kambal Gallery (Kambal Gallery) joined the Belt and Road National Art and Culture Expo (BRNACE). Garnering over 18,000 visitors, the expo aims to promote the development of art and culture of the participating countries, held this 23-25 September 2022 at the Asia World – Expo Hong Kong.

Over 250 renowned art galleries and organizations of Hong Kong and China, and Consulate Generals based in Hong Kong – including the Philippines, exhibited at the BRNACE showcasing traditional and modern artworks; and local designs. During the Opening Ceremony, Vice Consul Jose Angelo D.G Manuel of the PCGHK represented the Philippines in the ribbon cutting.

Vice Consul Jose Angelo D.G Manuel (3rd from right) during the
Opening Ceremony of the BRNACE.
Philippines booth during the BRNACE.

Kambal Gallery, a Hong Kong based Filipino gallery featured artworks of different Filipino artists. Cordillera Region take pride in as Filipino fashion accessories from Yuman Kaili Artisanal Crafts and Aveline’s Cordillera Handloom Wooven Products were also put on show. Further, the Filipino national clothing barong tagalog and baro’t saya were the main highlight in the Philippines’ booth symbolizing the rich culture of the Philippines.

Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya from the Philippines.
Fashion accessories from Cordillera Region.

The artists and the artworks presented were:

  1. Kaleidoscope Urbanscape by Frank Cana
  2. Mod Man II by Salvador Cihng
  3. Travel Journey 1, Travel Journey 2, Travel Journey 3, Travel Journey 4 by Irene Haagen
  4. Spring Breeze, Arabian Night, Xanadu, Little Glimpsesby Anafe Nemenzo
  5. Manila Jeepney by Christian Lee Regis 
  6. Capped Girl, Cool & Collected by Bea Siasico
  7. Mushroom Fantasy 3 by Eman Sia 
  8. Ethereal Symbiosis by Rishab Tibon
  9. Ladies in the Garden by Lydia Velasco
  10. Vitamin Sea #13, Vitamin Sea #16, Vitamin Sea #37, Vitamin Sea #38 by Justin Velasquez 

Thereafter, Vice Consul (Commercial) and Commercial Attache of the PTIC-HK Atty. Roberto B. Mabalot, Jr., briefly introduced the culture and artwork of the Philippines and the long-stand relationships between the Philippines and Hong Kong and China during the Belt and Road National Art and Culture Forum. Further, he invited the participants to come visit the Philippines to learn more about the culture and arts in the country given that the mandatory hotel quarantine restriction in Hong Kong SAR was lifted on 26 September 2022.

Vice Consul (Commercial) & Commercial Attache Atty. Roberto B. Mabalot, Jr.
Group photo taken in front of the booth of the Philippines. They are Vice Consul Jose Angelo D.G Manuel, Managing Partners of Kambal Gallery Ms. Maria Anna Pendry and Ms. Irene Haagen (2nd from left and most left respectively), and Vice Consul (Commercial) & Commercial Attache Atty. Roberto B. Mabalot, Jr.

For more information about the Forum, please visit their official website at: https://www.beltnroadculture.com/ or contact the PTIC-HK at hongkong@dti.gov.ph. You may also follow the official Facebook page of the PTIC-HK at DTI Hong Kong to obtain more information.

Date of Release: 28 September 2022