Great British Festival 2018 highlights UK-PH educational ties
Every year, Great Britain brings the best of its culture, art, music, food, education and innovation, among others, closer to millions of Filipinos through the Great British Festival. This year, the festival was a two-week celebration of UK culture and innovation with more stops outside of Manila, in cities such as Baguio, Dumaguete, Iloilo and Cebu, and more activities that fostered stronger ties and greater understanding between Brits and Pinoys.
“In this year’s festival, our goal is to showcase the very best of what Great Britain as a whole nation has to offer. We are gathering a broad spectrum of British companies that represent not only worldclass British culture and creativity, but also the core values of the nation,” said British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce during the opening event of the Great British Festival held at the Glorietta Activity Center on Feb. 23.
“What’s great about the British Festival is not only the breadth and depth of our activities, but also the wide range of partners that are joining us in this great celebration of the UK. We have supporters from a wide range of sectors — all doing their bit to promote the Great in Great Britain,” Pruce said.
Throughout the country, there were a variety of activities held during the twoweek festival. These included: Artkitektura, a forum on global architecture and urban developments (Feb. 24); British Bake-off, a competition hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce (Feb. 24); a series of lectures led by UK experts (Feb. 27 in UP Diliman and Feb. 28 in De La Salle University); a talk by the British Ambassador on British Excellence, Transnational Education (TNE) and UK business excellence (Mar. 1 in Saint Louis University, Baguio and Mar. 5–6 in Silliman University, Dumaguete); Trade Mission in Iloilo City (March 7–9); and a showcase of the best of British food and drink in Cebu City in association with Chef Jason Atherton (Mar. 9).
The Great British Festival 2018 was supported by the British Council, British Chamber of Commerce, Glorietta, HSBC, St. Andrew’s Society, National Book Store, Jollibee, FDCP, Triumph Motorbikes, Unilever, Clarks, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mothercare, Cath Kidston, Shakeaway, Superdry, Hamleys, Santos Knight Frank, The Pig and Palm, British Women’s Association, Silliman University, Saint Louis University, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines and TM Lewin.