Fabulous Philippine Food and Terno at the Phil Day Reception

By Marivir Montebon

New York – Fabulous terno and Filipino food, at least that’s what perks the life of Filipinos here in the Big Apple. There’s that pure hot chocolate and mini ube rice cake topped with sweetened buko that won the approval of many guests at the Philippine Day Reception (PDR) on June 20, 2019.

Issa Tate pulls it off: modern elegance in black and white terno. A silky black pants wrapped with pinya skirt does the trick.

Despite the torrential rain on that Thursday evening, invitees poured into the Philippine Center, to celebrate Kalayaan 2019, a commemorative party in celebration of the 121st Proclamation of Philippine Independence. Award-winning musical performers violinist Ruth Tumpalan and Cyd Tumpalan rendered nostalgic Philippine music in the program hosted by Consul Ricardo Abejuela III and Vice Consul Tanya Faye Ramiro.

A whole array of Filipino pastries and dishes were being served around Kalayaan Hall for the traditional PDR attended by select community leaders and members of the press. It is also that time of the year when Filipinos here dress up mostly in Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog to mark the Philippine holiday. OSM! loves to go around and check who were most captivating.

Rowena Randman in a T’boli top and headpiece – stunningly pleasing.

Shiran Ybanez and Consul Arman Talbo

Amb. Cecilia Rebong, who served Consul General in New York, allures in pink. Her matching purse is made of recycled soda bottle cap opener. This is made by women entrepreneurs, she quips.