Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with style through this one-of-a-kind virtual festival
Streaming on different platforms, Cinco de Mayo: Viva La Fiesta! An Adventure to Mexico is this year’s much-awaited celebration
The Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines, together with The Tasting Club, A’Toda Madre Mezcal Bar and Restaurant, and Apotheke Craft Spirits Co., will hold Cinco de Mayo: Viva La Fiesta! An Adventure to Mexico on May 5, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Due to community quarantines imposed in the country, the annual celebration, traditionally carried out via grand parties in local bars and restaurants, now shifts to a virtual offering. Complete with an education on the cultural importance of Cinco de Mayo, food pairings with Mexican tequila and mezcal sets prepared by partners, and a full concert entitled “Mexico Inmortal” as headlined by singer Rosy Arango, this year’s commemoration is not to be missed.
“This is the first time that the Mexican Embassy will celebrate Cinco de Mayo virtually,” Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines Daniela Gil Sevilla says exclusively to Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Last year, due to the pandemic, we were unable to continue with some of the activities in our cultural program, so we are very excited to carry out the festivities in a format suitable to the new normal. As part of the commemoration, we are holding a virtual gastronomic event complete with a tasting set and concert. This year, participants will be able to hear from experts on mezcal and tequila, and to learn a bit more about the significance of the date.”
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of Mexican troops over the French Empire in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. With the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza, the Mexicans were able to overturn what was known to be the most powerful military power in the world during its time. This overturning boosted the morale of the Mexican people. Hence, the celebration puts for emphasis on life’s triumphs over any adversary.
With its Mexican gastronomic feast paired with a musical show, Cinco de Mayo: Viva La Fiesta! provides a much-needed celebration brimming with culture and heritage, an event that becomes more meaningful during a global crisis. “The celebration of Cinco de Mayo in a time like this is a reminder and encouragement that even in the most difficult periods, there is hope. Also, the Cinco de Mayo event can contribute to the public having a good time in the safety of their houses with their family, enjoying Mexican music and gastronomy which shares ingredients with Filipino cuisine thanks to the Acapulco-Manila Galleon; and, of course, to raising awareness that the battle against COVID-19 will require the collaboration of all,” Daniela shares.
For a more immersive experience, the event makes available a tasting set consisting of three traditional tacos (Chicken Chipotle, Barbacoa, Al Pastor); one Fiesta Nachos set with salsa, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and corn; 100 milliliters each of Ocho Blanco Tequila and Siete Misterios Doba-Yev Mezcal; 50 milliliters of Cointreau Orange Liqueur; and other ingredients to make your favorite margarita drinks. Each set costs P2,500 and must be booked in advance via this event page.
The program features Juan Gabriel Espejo Ceballos, head of Bilateral Cooperation at the Embassy of Mexico, sharing the history and celebration of the festival. Also joining him are International Agave Spirits expert Jesse Estes, A’Toda Madre restaurant owner Windi Tapawan, and The Tasting Club founder Kevin Charuel.
For the rest of the year, the Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines plans to have bigger events including the National Day celebration in September as well as the upcoming bicentennial anniversary of the consummation of Mexican Independence. “One of the keys during the pandemic is adaptation, and we are already working on other events for this year,” shares Daniela. “We will be working with partners to offer more virtual events, including concerts, film festivals, and other cultural activities. Last year, we even celebrated our National Day and the Day of the Dead online, so we will definitely continue our promotional efforts. We would like to invite the general public to follow us through our social media accounts on Facebook (@embamex.filipinas) and Twitter (@EmbaMexFil), where we constantly post activities and events for the whole family.”
To join Cinco de Mayo: Viva La Fiesta! An Adventure to Mexico, visit the embassy’s Facebook page here. For inquiries, contact Kevin Charuel at hello@thetastingclubmanila.com or the Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines at culturalfil@sre.gob.mx.
This article first appeared in Manila Bulletin
Featured image: Unsplash.com
