Toasting glasses, dancing the salsa on Colombia’s national day

The Embassy of Colombia in the Philippines recently marked Colombia’s 208th Declaration of Independence with a celebration at the Manila Polo Club.

Colombian Ambassador Victor Hugo Echeverri Jaramillo and wife Patricia Lopez hosted the event, whose guests included the diplomatic corps, government officials, business leaders and the Colombian community.

Leading the traditional toast were papal nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Lumen Isleta of the Office of American Affairs.

Guests partook of Colombian cuisine and other specialties. Renowned Colombian salsa group Swing Latino performed.

The group then invited guests to learn and dance the Cali salsa.

The Philippines is part of the promotional tour plan of Colombia abroad, a cultural diplomacy initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. —CONTRIBUTED