3 December 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Dublin reported that Ambassador Ariel Y. Abadilla led the formal ceremony marking the official opening of the Embassy's permanent offices on November 30.
A plaque containing the Embassy's mission statement was unveiled by Ambassador Abadilla and Ireland's Chief of Protocol Kathleen White. The ceremony was the second in a series of inaugural events at the Embassy, and was made to coincide with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary Andres Bonifacio.The first inaugural event was on November 28, which was a traditional "open house" for the Filipino community in Ireland. Filipinos from the various counties in Ireland came for the flag raising ceremony, a community Mass and a "merienda".
During the flag ceremony, the Panunumpa sa Watawat (Oath to the Flag) featured Iris Rapliza Adeva and family.
Ms. Adeva was the first person to reacquire Philippine citizenship soon after the Embassy was established in July 2009.
Several Filipino community volunteers who assisted the Embassy in its start-up activities were cited and received awards during the event.
The incoming set of officers of the Filipino Community Network were also inducted into office by Ambassador Abadilla during the inaugural event. The Filipino Community Network is an umbrella group of Filipino organizations in Ireland. END