Atty. Omar Al-Zaim, CDA Vida Soraya Verzosa, and Mr. Ramzi Habash at the Free Legal Aid Clinic

Regaling the Filipino-Syrian community and the international Facebook Live audience with tearjerker cinema classics, a free legal aid clinic, and serenading them with love songs, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus wowed the crowd in its National Women’s Month Celebration on 20 March 2022 at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.

The international audience enjoying popcorn while watching award-winning films

This week’s “PELIKULA SA PASUGUAN” featured the classic INSIANG, the first Philippine film ever shown at the Cannes film festival, starring Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Ruel Vernal, and Rez Cortez. It was directed by the National Artist for film, the late Lino Brocka. This was followed by the ethereally beautiful K’NA THE DREAMWEAVER, starring Mara Lopez, RK Bagatsing, Nonie Buencamino, and Bembol Roco, directed by Ida Anita Del Mundo. Director Del Mundo gave a short message to the international audience. This was part of the Film Development Council of the Philippines program for assisting Embassies in their cultural diplomacy thrust.

                                                                                   Director Ida Anita Del Mundo giving her Special Message to the Audience at "Pelikula Sa Pasuguan" Week 

This week’s “PELIKULA SA PASUGUAN” featured the classic INSIANG, the first Philippine film ever shown at the Cannes film festival, starring Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Ruel Vernal, and Rez Cortez. It was directed by the National Artist for film, the late Lino Brocka. This was followed by the ethereally beautiful K’NA THE DREAMWEAVER, starring Mara Lopez, RK Bagatsing, Nonie Buencamino, and Bembol Roco, directed by Ida Anita Del Mundo. Director Del Mundo gave a short message to the international audience. This was part of the Film Development Council of the Philippines program for assisting Embassies in their cultural diplomacy thrust.

As part of the weekly surprise, purple paper hearts from Post’s male personnel containing messages of inspiration and appreciation for women were distributed to the female Filipino Community audience and Embassy personnel. Delighting the audience with another surprise song number, Mr. Raed Hawat sang the Josh Groban ballad, “You Are Loved,” while the ladies read the special love notes from the purple hearts. 

The guests all enjoyed the Filipino food served by the in-house Chef of the Embassy as they took selfies with inspirational placards at the #WOMENMAKECHANGE Photo Wall designed by the Philippine Commission on Women.