PHL featured at Chicago summer event

The Philippines was featured for the first time at the "Family Fun Festival" program of Chicago's annual Millennium Park summer events last week. The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago and the Filipino American Network (FAN) worked together in producing promotional materials about the Philippines and in putting up Filipino cultural performances from July 23 to 24. "The Consulate's participation aims to promote the country and at the same time to increase the awareness of the public about (Philippine national hero) Dr. Jose Rizal's life and work as the Philippines celebrate his 150th birth anniversary," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release Friday. During the event, a display table of Philippine arts and crafts and information materials on Philippine facts, culture, traditions, and tourist spots was set up. Filipino-American volunteers engaged in storytelling, featuring Rizal's fable "The Monkey and the Tortoise" and other Filipino folk tales to the delight of children in attendance. The other highlights of the event included performances of Angklung and Rondalla. Traditional dances such as the Maglalatik, Binasuan, and the famous Tinikling were presented, the DFA added. The Philippine Consulate was one of the three participating consulates in the festival. The other two were the Consulates General of China and of Sweden. Family festival The Millennium Park's "Family Fun Festival" is a popular event in Chicago. "Since its opening in July 2004, Millennium Park has welcomed more than 16 million people, making it one of the most popular destinations in Chicago," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News