On 16 November 2019, the Asian Diplomats’ Spouses Association (ADSA) in Cairo Egypt, held its annual Asian Food and Crafts Charity Bazaar at the Conrad Hotel in Cairo.
ADSA consists of diplomats’ spouses from 28 Cairo-based Asian embassies. Their group endeavors to promote better understanding and friendly ties between Asia and Egypt.
The ADSA Bazaar showcased food, handicrafts and local products from the participating embassies of Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
Egyptian non-government organizations and other private groups also participated. The Philippine booth especially featured capiz parols from the City of San Fernando, Pampanga—a highlight among the Philippine products.
Some of the parols were given as gifts to the guests of honor, including Madame Iman Hassaballah, wife of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Kemal Madbouly.
The Philippine Embassy in Cairo said they intend to gift the parols to other high-level officials, including Madame Suzy Shokry, wife of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shokry Selim. The Holy Family Parish in Maadi, Cairo bought six (6) parols to decorate the church in time for Simbang Gabi.
The foreign guests said that the parols are intricate, unique and colorful, while some members of the Filipino community mentioned that the parols remind them of Christmas in the Philippines.
This year’s ADSA is under the presidency of Madame Priscila R. Confiado, wife of H.E. Ambassador Sulpicio M. Confiado. Proceeds of the bazaar will be donated to ten (10) charity groups, including Light and Hope Association for blind women in Egypt, Dar El Hana orphanage, and the St. Joseph Parish Informal Education Center for Eritrean children refugees.
More than six thousand guests attended the event.