Ambassador Belen F. Anota graced the 4th Year of the Philippine Heritage Day celebration organized by the Philippine Australian Association of the ACT and Monaro Region (PAA) headed by Ms. Nonee Doronila. The celebration was held on 31 May 2014 at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Canberra City.

In her message, Ambassador Anota thanked and congratulated PAA for four years of successfully celebrating the Philippine Heritage Day and urged kababayans in Canberra to actively participate in preserving and promoting our rich and vast Philippine culture.

Ambassador Anota further emphasized that politically, the Philippines was the first democratic republic in Asia and has proven to be the bastion of democracy. At the same time, socio-economically, our culture highlights our “Bayanihan” spirit of unity and community.

She informed the community that the Philippines is celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, first Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Brains of the Revolution, this year.

The Ambassador also took the opportunity to invite everyone to visit Nayong Filipino in Clarke, Pampanga showcasing the vast and rich Philippine culture, as well as the Orchidarium in Rizal Park.

The Heritage Day was celebrated with cultural performances and informative talks of Ms. Gloria Ross on the Bicol Region and its culture, Ms. Elin Anisha C. Guro from Mindanao State University on the Maranao culture with demonstration on how to wear the Malong, and Mr. Toti Versoza who shared information on Apolinario Mabini.

Some Philippine handicrafts and cloths were also displayed during the event.

The program concluded with a salu-salo of Filipino food, such as biko, puto and other culinary delights.