IN the South East Asian region, there are more similarities rather than differences and in cultures and traditions amidst the variations in faith and belief, unlike Malaysia and Brunei, Indonesia is much closer to the Philippines.

Like what the current Indonesia Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Agus Widjojo says Filipino and Indonesians are not just friends, not just allies, not just neighbors but kin, and it is reflected in its culture and traditions especially in its fabric.

The recent event at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, the FILIPINO BARONG WASTRA INDONESIA Threads and Patterns of Kinship, the Philippines and Indonesia Fashion Show showcasing Indonesian balik and Filipino barong.

Present during the event aside from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chair Dr. Rene Escalante and Indonesian Ambassador H.E Agus Widjojo are both Filipino ang Indonesian fashion designers like Steve De Leon, Didi Budiardjo, Nobita yunus of Batik Chic, Onesimus and Freddy Mercado of Barong Batik.

Also present were Dr. Lily Lim of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, San Yu Kyaw, Charge d Affairs/ Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Tommy Parlagutan Butarbutar, Counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila., Ms. Avi Harahap also from the Indonesian Embassy and last but not the least is the wife of the Ambassador Madam Remy Widjojo.

///Mj Olvina Balaguer, 09053611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com and konekted@dzmjonline.net DZMJ ONLINE DAWAH ZAKAT MAKABULUHANG JORNALISMO YOUR HAPPINESS CHANNEL