To celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Peru and the Republic of the Philippines, the Honorary Consulate of Peru in Manila and the Embassy of Peru in Thailand held two cultural initiatives at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
On October 3, 2024, a month-long photo exhibit that highlights one of Peru’s most historically significant places, the Qhapaq Ñan (Great Inca Trail) was launched at the Main Building Lobby in partnership with the UST Museum and the UST Office of Public Affairs.
Her Excellency Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, the Ambassador of Peru to Thailand and Non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines, graced the event and personally led a tour for attendees of the launch.
The photo exhibit showcased breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the remarkable engineering that earned Qhapaq Ñan its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was available for viewing until November 8, 2024.
Earlier that week, on October 1, 2024, another partnership with the Embassy and Consulate was conducted in collaboration with the Office of Public Affairs and the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Chef Carlo Huerta Echegaray, the executive sous chef of Samba at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila led a masterclass CTHM students in making ceviche, a dish whose preparation and consumption practices are considered a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Aside from the preparation of the dish, he also discussed the history of ceviche, the many different kinds of corn in Peru and how it made its way to the Philippines via the galleon trade, sustainable practices of obtaining fresh fish. He also shared that knowing how to make ceviche opened doors in his career, with his first restaurant in Ecuador having the dish as its specialty.
Her Excellency Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Peru in Thailand Mr. Alvaro Salcedo Teullet also graced this class at the CTHM Demo Kitchen.