On the DOT
By Atty. Helen J. Camarista

Philippine-Spain Friendship Day

Iloilo City is proud to host the Filipino-Spanish Friendship Day on J une 29-30, 2005 in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy, the Spanish Chamber Commerce & Industry and the Instituto de Cervantes. It is a grand nationwide celebration held every year in different areas of the country which played an important role in the history of the Spanish conquest. Iloilo City bears the singular distinction of being the last Capital of Spain in Asia when in 1898 after the fall of Manila to the Americans, Gen. Diego de los Rios was appointed Spanish Governor General of the Philippines with Iloilo as the temporary capital.

The Organizing Committee created by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is headed by Elena Jison Golez and is composed of members from the government and non-government organizations who have volunteered their time and efforts to making the celebration a successful fun event. As this celebration seeks to educate as well as to promote Iloilo and strengthen Filipino/Spanish ties the committee has lined up the following schedule of activities:

June 28: 4:00 pm Arrival in Iloilo of Spanish Delegation

5:00 pm Courtesy call to Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas

June 29: 9:00 am Laying of the wreath at the Monument at Plaza Arevalo

9:30 am Museo Iloilo

• Palimpsesto is a theater form of presenting Hiligaynon literature
  
• Art Exhibit by Ilonggo artists

10:00 Del Rio Hotel

• Feria Española, a 2 day trade fair of Spanish wine and consumer products

11:00 Wine Appreciation seminar (part 1)

1:30 pm Wine Appreciation seminar (part 2)

2:00 pm University of San Agustin

• Lectures on Spanish Influence on Filipino Architecture by the Instituto de Cervantes
• Film festival

2:30-5:30 Iloilo National High School

• Flamenco Workshop by Centro Flamenco

3:30 Del Rio Hotel

• Demo on Spanish Cooking By Chef Sandra Cacho Gaudi Restaurant

4:30 Flamenco performance by Guillermo Gomez

5:30 Sarabia Manor Hotel

• Tertulia y Tapas
• dinner/fashion show by Patis Tesoro & Jackie Peñalosa
• poetry reading, classical guitar and Spanish songs by USA Troubadours

June 30: 9:30 – 11:30 am Iloilo National High School

• Flamenco Workshop by Centro Flamenco

10:00 Iloilo Provincial Capitol

• Formal opening of Fil-Spanish Friendship Day celebration
• Guests of Honor: Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
• Spanish Delegation led by Sp. Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz
• Highlights: Presentation of key of the city to Spanish delegation
• Turnover of historical documents to Iloilo

10:00 Del Rio Hotel

• Feria Española (con't)

11:00 Wine appreciation seminar (part 1)

1:30 Wine appreciation seminar (part 2)

2:00 pm University of San Agustin

• Lectures on Spanish influence on Philippine Architecture by the Instituto Cervantes
• Film Festival

3:00 CAP Auditorium

• Matinee performance for students featuring the Centro Flamenco dancers, USA Troubadours & Kawilihan USA

3:30 Del Rio Hotel

• Spanish Cooking Demo by Chef Sandra Cacho of Gaudi Restaurant

4:30 Flamenco performance by Guillermo Gomez

7:00 CAP Auditorium

• Noche de Gala featuring the Centro Flamenco dancers USA Troubadours & Kawilihan USA

Everyone is invited to join us on this special day in Iloilo City. All events are open to the public and free of charge except the Tertulia Y Tapas & Noche de Gala which require entrance tickets. For information and ticket sales, contact the Department of Tourism Iloilo Tel. No. 3374461 c/o Jean. For specially designed tour packages & discounts (plane, airfare, hotels & heritage tours, tickets) to this event from Manila contact Sierra Tours (2)8982451 c/o Mitzi.