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PHL EMBASSY IN ROME CELEBRATES PHL INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH MONTH-LONG ACTIVITIES

26 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Rome kicked-off the 2015 Independence Day celebrations on May 28 with the observance of “Araw ng Watawat” or Flag Day. The day was marked with a flag-raising ceremony and the recitation of the "Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas" (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag) led by Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco and joined by the Embassy personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs, representatives from attached agencies such as Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Pag-IBIG and SSS, and members of the Filipino community.

The Embassy personnel, led by Ambassador Nolasco with Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Merceditas A. Tuason, also joined the Filipino community for a souvenir photo at the end of the annual Misa ng Pasasalamat celebrated to mark the 117^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. The Mass was officiated by Rome-based Filipino priests on June 07 at the Basilica of Sta. Pudenziana, the seat of Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy in Rome.

Ambassador Domingo delivered his remarks before the guests who were also entertained by the cultural presentation performed by the Rome-based Filipino Kayumanggi Company. They were also served Filipino food treats and fun snapshots of the Philippines through the visual presentations from the Department of Tourism which features “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” and 2015 Visit Philippines Year.



The 117^th Independence Day celebrations continued on June 14 with a flag-raising and wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal monument in Piazzale Manila in Rome led by Ambassador Nolasco and Ambassador Tuason. The Philippine National Anthem was sung at the beginning of the program led by Filipino youth and organized by the Philippine Independence Day Association (PIDA). Ambassador Nolasco also addressed the Filipino Community.


Another highlight of the day was the performances of the members of the Filipino community featuring cultural dances and rondalla music.

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PHL CONSULATE GENERAL IN CAGLIARI AND FILIPINO COMMUNITY CELEBRATES 117^TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHL INDEPENDENCE

Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco was present at the event and has addressed the Filipino community in his speech.

In light of the celebration, members of the Filipino community in Cagliari performed traditional Filipino dances. Both adults and children participated in the cultural performances.

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PHL EMBASSY CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY IN ISRAEL

Filipinos in Israel encouraged to unite

On June 12, the Embassy held a flag raising ceremony attended by its personnel and their families, Honorary Consuls, Filipino community leaders, and friends of the Embassy. The Independence Day messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, and Philippine Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz were read during the event, as well as Secretary Dimapilis-Baldoz's message on the occasion of the 20^th Migrant Workers' Day.

In his speech, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial emphasized the true essence of the occasion and encouraged everyone to contribute to the country's development.  Speaking in Filipino, the Ambassador said,  "Magkaisa po tayo para maipagpatuloy and ating kalayaan at pag-unlad ng ating bansa."   He went on to highlight the fast and robust growth of the Philippine economy which is projected to further improve in the coming years. 

During the short program, the Embassy personnel and guests sang patriotic songs, such as "Bayan Ko".  Mr. Arnold and Ms. Malou Eligado and X Factor Israel Champion, Ms. Rose "Osang" Fostanes also performed beautiful renditions of "Himig ng Pag-ibig" and "Pagbabalik", respectively.

Fostering ties and friendships

The Embassy also fostered ties with the host government, diplomatic missions, partners and friends by welcoming around 240 guests during a diplomatic reception on June 15.

Mr. Mark Sofer, Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was guest of honor in lieu of Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabai on that day as all Ministers were summoned to the Knesset (Parliament) for urgent discussion.

In his speech, Ambassador Imperial spoke of the rich history of relations between the Philippines and Israel. He cited the Philippines' rescue of Jews and support to UN Resolution 181 leading to the creation of the state of Israel, the presence of more than 22,000 Filipino caregivers in Israel, and ongoing defense and agricultural cooperation as pillars of their deepening ties.

Mr. Sofer congratulated the Philippines on the occasion and also talked about furthering partnership between the two countries.  Mr. Sofer specifically noted the hospitality of Filipinos which he observed during his visit to the Philippines.  He said that Filipinos are among the friendliest of the people he has met.  He added that this warm and welcoming character of Filipinos is one and the same with the hospitality shown by Filipinos in the late 1930's when they welcomed Jews in the country to save them from the Holocaust in Europe.

At the end of their respective speeches, both Ambassador Imperial and Mr. Sofer raised their glasses in a toast to the unique and deepening relations between the countries.

Promoting Philippine economy, culture, and tourism

Highlighting the Philippines' economic achievements, investment opportunities and positive business atmosphere, Ambassador Imperial encouraged partners and other guests to visit the country and explore the opportunities in there.

To showcase the best of Philippine culture and tourism, the Embassy featured the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild from Manila to perform traditional songs and dances from the country's different regions during the event.  Sindaw's graceful movements and colorful and exotic costumes captivated the guests during the cultural show.

The It's More Fun in the Philippines videos projected continuously on three big screens inside the hall showed guests the many beautiful tourist attractions offered by the country.

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PHL EMBASSY IN PRETORIA, FILIPINO COMMUNITY GATHER TO  CELEBRATE 117^TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHL INDEPENDENCE

Led by Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles and his wife, Atty. Cecilia Angeles, the Embassy personnel and their families, together with the Filipino community, started the day by raising the Philippine national flag and singing the national anthem, followed by a Sunday Mass.

In his welcome message, Ambassador Angeles reminded the Filipino community that the Filipinos were born a free people, and that, before we were colonized, our ancestors already achieved great things by freely working together as a community. He further stated that we were always self-reliant and were never dependent. As such, our heroes, who secured our independence from Spain, merely preserved the freedom that our peoples have enjoyed since time immemorial. In this present time, Ambassador Angeles called on the Filipino community to continue what our forefathers did – to be proud of our country and heritage, to never forget the Philippines and to strive to contribute to the development and achievements of the country willingly.

Filipinos from the neighboring countries of Botswana and Mozambique and from all over South Africa, including those from the provinces of the Eastern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, Kwazulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State, and the North West happily journeyed to the Embassy to join in the festivities.


To liven up the celebration, the Filipino communities from Mozambique and those from the South African provinces of Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng prepared various folk dance numbers such tandingan, pakiring and bulaklak. The first two dances are traditional dances from Basilan and was performed by a Basilan-native while bulaklak is a Filipino flower dance commonly performed across the country. Children of the Embassy personnel also danced the maglalatik, a popular and rhythmic Filipino dance where the dancers use coconut-shell halves to produce sounds in time with the music’s fast drumbeat.