GOVPH

09 July 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Singapore joined the Filipino nation in commemorating the 115^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12 with a flag-raising ceremony and a diplomatic reception.

The celebration began in the morning with the hoisting of the Philippine flag at the Embassy compound in the presence of Embassy officers and staff, together with their families, and Filipino community leaders and representatives. The cord detail was led by Ambassador Minda Calaguian-Cruz and her husband, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz. 

The raising of the flag was followed by the Panunumpa sa Watawat and Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno, and the reading of the messages of the Philippine Secretaries of Labor, Trade and Industry, and Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Cruz then delivered the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Filipino communities around the world, followed by her own message to the Filipino community in Singapore, challenging them to do their part for the country, in line with the theme of this year’s Independence Day celebrations: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran.

Filipino singer Amy Bondi then serenaded the audience with a guitar and vocal rendition of Asin’s Pagbabalik and Florante’s Handog. Afterwards, it was the turn of the Embassy kids to perform, under the guidance of Embassy volunteer Joey del Prado, with the recitation of a modern balagtasan piece composed by Ms. del Prado herself entitled,   Iba Ka Pinoy: Embracing Diversity, Making a Difference.

The morning’s observance concluded with a salu-salo featuring Filipino breakfast favourites such as beef tapa, tinapa and itlog na maalat at kamatis. The highlight of the meal was the lechon flown in all the way from Cebu and the chicken joy and spaghetti meal for the kids courtesy of Jollibee Singapore.

The celebrations continued in the evening with a diplomatic reception at the Raffles Town Club attended by some 300 guests from the host government, diplomatic corps, and the business and cultural community in Singapore.

The event opened with an exchange of toasts between Ambassador Cruz and the guest of honor, Minister Lim Swee Say, Minister at the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office. Ambassador Cruz shared with the guests the good news about the Philippine economy, and expressed her hope for the further strengthening of bilateral relations. She noted that Singapore was the Philippines’ fourth largest investor in 2012, with investments amounting to US$307 million, an almost six-fold increase from US$51 million in 2011.

Meanwhile, Minister Lim took the opportunity to express his gratitude to all Filipinos working and residing in Singapore.  “Not only do you make significant contributions to our country through your participation in many sectors of our economy, you also play an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and promoting friendship between our countries,” he said.

The Philippine and Singapore anthems were sung a capella by the PsalmiDeo Chorale, a choir founded ten years ago by Singapore-based Filipino professionals. Under the baton of Mr. Danny Imson, a Filipino classical composition student at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, PsalmiDeo performed two more songs, Rosas Pandan and Ang Ibong Kakanta-kanta, later in the evening.

After the toasts and singing of the anthems, the guests were treated to the performance of “Welcome to Our Island Philippines,” a medley of songs and dances from different parts of the Philippines performed by the Kultura Performing Arts group led by Ms. Celia Defato. This was followed by the Rigodon de Honor, a quadrille dance brought back to the Philippines by Filipinos visiting Europe during the Spanish times.

Next to perform was 12-year-old singer Miguel Antonio, who sang Tagumpay Nating Lahat. The child of a Filipino mother and a Singaporean father, Miguel has performed in many shows in Singapore, including with David Foster, and has released his first EP distributed by Universal Music Singapore.

Even as they were entertained by the cultural program emceed by Singapore-based Filipino TV anchor Timothy Goh and speech trainer Obelia Lacanilao-Cutiongco, the guests enjoyed the dinner buffet, which included such Filipino classics as chicken adobo, beef caldereta, pancit palabok, seafood paella, lechon, halu-halo and leche flan. 

Philippine arts, crafts and industry were also highlighted with a cultural display at the foyer area featuring The Art of Filipiniana curated by Ms. Digna Ryan and the paintings of Filipino artist Pierre Patricio.

Gourmet Filipino food and beverage products were also showcased, including Jax Coco, stylishly packaged natural coconut water; Sweet Seasons chocolate-covered dried mangoes; and durian jam and tablea from Davao. Alongside these, the guests had the opportunity to be acquainted with and touch indigenous Filipino materials such as capiz and abaca with the FAME display.

Another highlight of the evening was a raffle draw to promote Philippine tourism, in which tickets to Manila and Iloilo, as well as a two-night stay at Fairmont Makati were given away. The Department of Tourism’s It’s More Fun in the Philippines video was shown as a teaser before the lucky winners were picked.

Capping off the program was the performance by Ms. Defato and Mr. Angel Pangilinan, two of the best Filipino dancers in Singapore, of Jota Caviteña, which was performed during the proclamation of Philippine Independence in Cavite in 1898.

The evening ended with more dancing, as the guests took to the dance floor with some ballroom music, as well as an impromptu performance of Gangnam Style by some of the guests in their Filipiniana. END