The Philippine Embassy in Damascus, along with twenty (20) other countries through  their embassies in Syria, and nonprofit organizations in Syria, participated in the  International Charity Bazaar held on 12 November 2022, at the Dama Rose Hotel. The  biggest fund raising bazaar of the year was spearheaded by the Diplomatic Club of Syria  (DCoS) in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.  

The Philippine Embassy booth showcased Filipino cultural products such as traditional  embroidered barong textiles , native bags and pouches, rattan trays , and Capiz shell  items. Filipino food products such as dried mangoes, polvoron, canned goods, banana  ketchup bottles, and cooking ingredients for Filipino dishes were also displayed for sale.  Also on display were brochures showcasing prime tourism destinations in the  Philippines.  

In her opening remarks, DCoS President and wife of Indonesian Ambassador to Syria,  Mrs. Radyanti Fauzi, thanked countries and organizations for participating and  showcasing their products for a common humanitarian cause. She added that this event  was also an opportunity to know each other's culture through the items displayed at each  booth. The embassies of Algeria, Armenia, Belgium, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bahrain,  Bulgaria, Belarus, India, Ireland, Palestine, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, South Africa , Sri  Lanka, Sudan, and Venezuela were also present.  

In an interview with the Syrian Arab News Agency, CDA Vida Soraya Verzosa thanked  the DCoS for inviting the Philippines to be part of the event. CDA Verzosa added, "we  believe that sharing culture between Philippines and Syria is an important part of  strengthening our bilateral relations, and part of our economic diplomacy P.rogram .is to  share the beauty of Philippine products with the Syrian people and the 1nternat1onal  community."  

The Philippines was one of the most-visited booths in the bazaar and almost all products  displayed were sold out.  

The beneficiary of this year's bazaar are organizations from the governorate of Homs,  one of the hardest-hit governorates of the civil crisis. -END