Turkish Cultural Night in Philippines

Photo by Christian Mark Lim
Photo by Christian Mark Lim


Date posted: October 2, 2016

Juliet C. Revita

CONSIDERING the significance of communication in the foundation of friendship, a Turkish community stage a cultural night to create a platform in reaching out as many Filipinos through undertaking a one-night event.

Turkish and Filipinos have indeed shared common grounds in terms of attitude, foods and culture and all of these were reflected on the exhibition during the Turkish Cultural Night that was slated last September 28 at the Club House of Woodridge Subdivision in Maa, Davao City.

Turkish and Filipinos are both known for their warm accommodation and hospitality and these are just among the traits that the two are known for worldwide.

When I was tasked to cover the event, I immediately gave it a go without any sign of hesitation as the thought of attending the event excited me.

Fueled by an adventurous impulse and interest to experience various kinds of new things, I quickly grabbed the opportunity considering that this could be a great entry to my diary.

The event was initiated by the Pacific Dialogue Foundation Inc. (PDF), a non-stock, non-profit, educational, and cultural foundation, which seeks to build and foster relationships between and among people of diverse backgrounds. The foundation aims to uphold the primacy of universal values.

I and Christian Mark Lim, our photojournalist, was cordially welcomed by the Turkish folks and were ushered inside the venue.

I could feel the light aura as we headed to our dining table that was filled with Turkish cuisines.

Driven by curiosity about their cuisines, I grab a piece of everything that was served on my plate just to figure out how they tasted like. That was the first time I encountered those types of foods in my entire life. The taste is alien; nevertheless, I could say that it was pretty great.

The foods’ excellent presentation alone could make one crave for them. How much more when tasted?

I have tried their traditional Turkish cuisine which they called Maklube. It was like a huge bowl of rice with various kinds of toppings like potatoes and meat.

Among the other foods that were served included the Icli Kofte (Stuffed Meatballs), Karniyarik (Augbergine Meal), Biber Dolmasi (Stuffed Bell Pepper), Lahmacun (A kind of meat pizza), Mercimek Çorbasi (Lentil Soup), Piyaz (Beans Salad), Nohutlu Salata (Chickpea Salad), Patlican Közlemesi (Grilled Eggplant, Havuçlu Top (Carrot ball), Sütlaç (Rice Pudding), Kek (Cake), Kahve (Turkish Coffee), Çay (Turkish Tea).

What I am certain of is that Turkish people loves spicy food based on what they had presented during the dinner.

Right after our meal, students from Musikademy also showcased their musical talents that amazed the people at that night. They sang an upbeat Turkish music that elicited loud applause from the crowd.

They were those students who joined the International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC) where PDF is one of the main co-organizers in the Philippines.

It is an annual celebration and showcase of diverse linguistic talents across the world that are geared towards promotion of strong ties, lasting friendships, and raising hope for world peace.

Though I haven’t understood a single word from the lyrics of the song that they had presented, I could sense that the message they convey was about upholding unity amidst diversity.

“Our goals are not about religion, not about culture, [and] not about language but we are really about humanity,” PDF Representative Zeynep Tulip Gün said.

Basically, their purpose for having the event is to create a venue where they could gather their Filipino friends to develop camaraderie. This is also to improve the ties between the Turkish and the Filipino community in the country.

Even though this is just the first that this happened in Davao, Gun believes that life is more about sharing. When blessings are shared, it produces unfathomable happiness.

Source: Sun Star , October 2, 2016


Related News

Cambodia’s Zaman Institutes Get Big-Name Backing

A couple with close ties to the prime minister have taken leading roles in Zaman-operated schools in Cambodia, a move likely to weaken the position of Turkish authorities who want the schools shut down for their alleged links to “terrorism.”

Filipino military awards Turkish high school for peace initiatives

The Armed Forces of the Philippines have recognized the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School in Zamboanga for their contribution to peace in the region. The award came after the Turkish high school in the Philippines gave support to people suffering from internal conflict in Mindanao, one of the islands of the Philippines, and provided 38,000 homeless people with humanitarian assistance.

Turkic American Alliance’s iftar brought diplomats together in Washington DC

The Turkic American Alliance (TAA), which is an umbrella organization with more than 200 member organizations, and its component organization Rumi Forum came together to host a Ramadan Iftar for many dignitaries in the Washington, D.C. area on Tuesday, July 30th. Several ambassadors, congressmen, diplomats and leaders of the Turkic community and organizations attended the dinner.

Corruption, Stigmatization, and Innocence

Unfortunately, the Hizmet Movement as one of the leading civilian movements contributing to intercultural dialogue and peace in the world has been labeled as one of the players to destabilize Turkey by the pro-government press too.

Pak-Turk Schools: A fate undecided

In the last two decades, PakTurk Schools in Pakistan have brought pride and distinction to Pakistan by winning over 260 medals. Its students participated in education and science competitions in 97 countries, and topped the federal and provincial boards as well as Cambridge International Boards of Examinations.

Chief Minister inaugurates housing units for flood affectees

Islamabad—A Turkish NGO, Kimse Yok Mu Solidarity and Aid Association headquartered at Istanbul, has built housing units to accommodate 296 flood-affected families in Punjab. It is a grand brotherly gesture from the Turkish people towards alleviating the housing difficulties of the flood affectees of Pakistan. Today, Sep. 13, 2013, in the inauguration ceremony of this […]

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Terrorism: Why Obama, Others Ignored Turkish President Erdogan

Kimse Yok Mu receives a letter of appreciation from Uganda’s Office of the PM

Erdoğan threatens Kosovo PM: You will pay

Students give International Turkish Olympiad a moving sendoff

Hizmet Symposium: Academics Foster Peacebuilding Advocacy

Opposing the majority

Alleging Gülen supported coups is huge distortion of truth

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News