PH Celebrates Cultural Partnership at the Terras Sem Sombra Festival
Vidigueira, Portugal, 30 November 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon hosted a dinner reception on 29 November 2025 at the Adega Museu Gonçalo Canena in Vidigueira, Portugal to mark the Philippines’ role as Guest Country of Honor at the Terras sem Sombra Festival, and to express its appreciation to the festival organizers and the Municipality of Vidigueira.
The gathering brought together festival leaders, local government officials, featured Filipino artists, and members of the Vidigueira community. Guests were welcomed with a display of Filipino hospitality and treated to a curated selection of traditional dishes such as adobo, lumpia, and biko. In return, the Vidigueira community welcomed the Filipino guests with traditional Alentejo singing. A local male choir, Grupo Coral da Vidigueira, performed a cappella songs reflecting the region’s culture, rural life, and landscape.
Vidigueira Mayor Ricardo Bonito thanked all the diplomatic, civil, military, and religious entities present. He also extended his appreciation for the Embassy and Terras sem Sombra for their presence and partnership. He mentioned that Cante Alentejano has been a UNESCO heritage for exactly ten years and thanked the Vidigueira Choir Group for their presence. He concluded by confirming that Vidigueira always has its doors open to those who come in peace.
In response, Philippine Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes thanked the Camara Municipal and the people of Vidigueira for allowing the Philippines to once again share their culture, music, and food in the Alentejo region.
Beyond celebrating the festival collaboration, the reception underscored the Embassy’s broader commitment to cultural diplomacy. It served as a meaningful occasion to strengthen cultural exchange, reinforce bilateral cooperation, and highlight the Philippines’ enduring dedication to fostering deeper connections through culture and the arts. END