AUTHENTICATION
22 July 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in London staged a series of activities throughout the month of June as part of the “Kalayaan 2013” celebrations around the world.
The month kicked-off at the Embassy with "Digital Abstraction", an exhibition of digital paintings by Filipino artist Antonio Gorordo.
Mr. Gorordo as an artist had long sought to express his feelings and concerns for the Philippines in the form of abstract paintings, and new digital tools enabled him to shift to an emerging medium for his latest works on display.
The following week saw the holding of the traditional Thanksgiving Mass and salo-salo for the Filipino community, held this year at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in London. Over a thousand people were in attendance, including Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo and other officials and members of the Philippine Embassy. The main celebrant was Fr. Cirino G. Potrido, CM, Head of the Filipino Chaplaincy, with various Filipino organizations taking on principal roles in the ceremonies.
A festive salo-salo followed immediately after the mass at the Parish Hall, with the community decked in their best Filipiniana attire and taking turns performing song and dance numbers for the entertainment of the crowd.
A substantive forum in line with Migrant Workers Day commemorations was staged later in the month at Baden Powell House in London by the Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labour Office.
The event drew remarks from Ambassador Manalo and POLO officers, and finance and investment presentations from financial institutions, real estate companies, and SSS and Pag-IBIG representatives.
The June activities concluded with “An Introduction to BAYBAYIN”, an art exhibit and lecture by Christian Cabuay on the ancient Philippine writing system. Mr. Cabuay traced in detail the history of Baybayin and its meaning and significance to Philippine culture, while providing live demonstrations and samples of the script.
Other activities held during Independence Month celebrations included the “Filipinism” art exhibit by Max Balatbat, the UK premier of the critically acclaimed film “Boses”, and various Barrio Fiestas staged throughout the UK. END
OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
