For three days, get a taste of Great Britain at BGC

It’s the GREAT British Festival weekend once again! From February 27-March 1, a long stretch of Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City is transformed into the land of the Queen: the United Kingdom.

 

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad told GMA News Online on Friday that the festival offers a taste of the best of the UK.
 

Asked what differentiates this year’s festival from last year’s, Ahmad said from 24 participating merchants they have 58 this year or more than double the number of booths selling everything from apparel, footwear, gadgets, food, and more.

 

Ahmad said last year, when the first GREAT British Festival was held, many people said there weren’t enough food booths. This year, they have 11.

 

According to the ambassador, another big difference in this year’s festival is that the embassy is “tapping more into music.” He cited the contest where local bands competed for a ticket to fly to the UK, courtesy of Etihad Airways.

 

Ahmad said the festival “is almost becoming part of the local entertainment scene,” adding that it is the biggest outdoor event at BGC.

 

When asked what he is most excited about out of all the events during the three-day festival that includes a fashion show, film showing, and others, Ahmad replied, “the reaction of the people.” He said he wants “to see whether people are happy.” 

 

Ahmad also said the festival is not just about the UK but about celebrating Philippine-British relations. Not many people today remember that the Philippines was a British colony from 1762 to 1764.

 

In the 1700s, when the Philippines was a colony of Spain, conflicts among countries in Europe eventually spilled over to Asia. At that time, a British fleet was sent from India, a British colony, to conquer Southeast Asian colonies under the Spanish crown.

 

Fly to the UK

 

Meanwhile, Ahmad also told GMA News Online that while the festival offers a taste of UK, it is also a good time to visit their country, especially with lower airfares.

 

He said people need to realize that it’s very easy to go to the UK, especially as 92 percent of those who apply for a visa get approved.

 

Asked what places he would recommend visiting in the UK, he suggested “the areas less familiar to tourists,” saying that “Scotland is beautiful and Northern Island is also beautiful.”

 

He said most tourists just visit London, his hometown, “do a little shopping and then come home.” But he said there’s more to the UK than just London.

 

GREAT British Festival

 

Aside from shopping, those who will take part in the GREAT British Festival can pose beside “selfie-worthy UK in Miniature replicas” of famous landmarks that include Balmoral Castle, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Stonehenge.

 

People can also pose beside pop culture icons like the Tardis (Dr. Who), Sherlock Holmes’ door to Baker Street, the Iron Throne (Game of Thones), and the mythological Loch Ness Monster.

 

For students who want to study in the UK, the Education Pavilion houses the Chevening Scholarships booth, British School Manila, British Council, Bradford University and the British Alumni Association.

 

Car enthusiasts, on the other hand, can pose beside British rides on display from Morgan Motors, MINI, Jaguar and Land Rover.

 

Another interesting feature of the festival is the the Tourism Booth where people can avail of special tour packages and airline tickets from Etihad Airways, Rajah Travel Corporation, Baron Travel and Pan Pacific Travel. 

 

There is also a UK Visa and Information booth, where visa officers can provide practical advice. — VC, GMA News