By Ruth Ann Ruiz
The Post Newspaper Features Editor
Houston held its first ASEAN fall festival last Saturday, hosted by the Consulate of Indonesia. Congressman Al Green of Texas 9th district attended the festival and presented proclamations to the three consul generals representing the three ASEAN nations: Ourina Ritonga of Indonesia, Gunther Emil M. Sales of the Philippines, and Hoang Thuy Duong of Vietnam.
Multiple food booths encircled what is normally the consulate’s parking lot, where the aroma of spices and cooking oil tempted visitors to try egg rolls, pork ribs, chicken, rice, and other culinary options. Dancers in vibrant colors, along with traditional music from the three nations represented and a few American tunes, captivated the audience.
“In America we celebrate unity but not uniformity,” said Green as he complimented the festival and expressed his wish to see next year’s festival attract more nations from the ASEAN association.
Ritonga and other attendees agreed they too would like to see next year’s festival expanded with more ASEAN nations represented.
