5 July 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in cooperation with several Filipino-American organizations in Guam celebrated the 115th anniversary of the declaration of the Philippine Independence through a series of activities that showcased Filipino talents, cuisine, traditions, culture and arts this whole month of June 2013.
The Filipino Ladies Association (FLAG) held its “2013 Mrs. Sampaguita Coronation Ball” at the Chamorro Ballroom of Guam Marriott Resort and Spa, as part of its contribution to the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 02.
Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin, together with Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian, Consul Maria Paz G. Cortes and her husband, Mr. Joseph Lim, as well as Ms. Mildred Sayurin, Cultural Officer, attended the event.
Also present at the event were Governor Eddie Calvo and First Lady Christine Calvo, Judge Alberto Lamorena of the Superior Court of Guam, and Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Jr.
Established in 1960, FLAG has been one of the most active Filipino organizations in community service on Guam through its volunteer works, educational assistance and fundraising campaigns for local and national charitable organizations. The Mrs. Sampaguita event is FLAG’s major fund-raising activity.
On Saturday, June 08, the Filipino Ladies Association of Guam (FLAG) also held the annual Santacruzan at the Agana Shopping Center. The festivity was held to promote and share with the people of Guam the religiosity and colorful Filipino cultural heritage, as part of the month-long celebration of 115th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence.
This Filipino tradition, which depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, was joined by beautiful little misses and elegant ladies representing various Filipino associations, beauty pageant winners, the FLAG members, the winner of Mrs. Sampaguita fundraiser as well as the children of the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General. Several local government officials and politicians, particularly Senators of the 32nd Guam Legislature, also joined the parade.
The main highlight of the procession was the participation as Reyna Elena, or the grand queen, of Guam First Lady Christine Calvo who was escorted by Governor Eddie B. Calvo.
The winners of this year’s Santacruzan contest for the Most Beautiful Arch are the Capizeños Association of Guam (for Adult Category) and the Apalit Association of Guam (for Child Category). For the Most Beautiful Gown contest, the representative of the Filipino-American President’s Club won for the Child Category while the representative of the Capizeños Association of Guam won for the Adult Category. The Iloilo International was awarded as the Most Represented Organization.
The Filipino Ladies Association of Guam (FLAG) has been hosting the Santacruzan since the 1970's for which it was awarded the most prestigious Philippine Presidential Commission of Filipino Overseas’ (CFO) Banaag Award in 1995.
The Guam Filipino Artists (GFA), with the support and cooperation of the Philippine Consulate General and various Filipino organizations on Guam, also held a cultural program on June 09 at the Agana Shopping Center,
As one of the main events for this year’s celebration of the 115th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Philippine Independence on Guam, the Cultural Show was organized to increase awareness of the Filipino culture, renew and enhance cultural ties among Filipinos, Americans, Chamorros and other people on the island as well as to showcase and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines in the form of a presentation of diverse collection of traditional Filipino songs and dances.
The event was attended by Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Jr., FCG Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr. Emelio Uy, Consulate officers and staff as well as representatives of the different Filipino organizations on Guam.
Consul General Mangibin delivered a welcome remarks by highlighting this year’s Independence Day theme, “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran" and commended FLAG for organizing the event. He also conveyed his appreciation to all the participating Filipino organizations. He gladly noted that Filipinos on Guam are indeed living up to the theme and spirit of this year’s Independence Day celebration and expressed hope that Filipinos all over the world will continue to give their share in our nation’s development.
Audience at Agana Shopping Center was treated to an afternoon of lively performances by home grown Filipino and Filipino-American talents as well as cultural presentations of the different Filipino organizations.
Among the main highlights of the cultural show were the drum performance by the Ati-Atihan Group of Aklan Association of Guam, medley of popular Filipino songs by the National Association of Mapua Alumni (NAMA) Quartet, Sampaguita Chorus and Cariñosa dance by the Filipino Ladies Association of Guam, song numbers by Fantaysha of Iloilo International, Mr. Anoy Figueroa of GFA and other Filipino singers on Guam.
On behalf of the Philippine Consulate General and the UST Alumni of Guam, Consul Gary Auxilian and his family also made a special performance of a medley of OPM songs, “Isang Dugo Isang Lahi Isang Musika”, “Bayan Ko”, “Magkaisa”, and “Ako ay Pilipino”, to the delight of the audience.
Filipino singer, Mr. Ronnie Liang, arrived in Guam as the special guest performer from Manila in the said event.
The Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort, held a flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 115th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the front loop area of the hotel on June 12.
Guam Reef Hotel General Manager Yasuhiro Kotera welcomed the members of the Consular Corps, members of the 32nd Guam Legislature, other Guam government officials, the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General, and the officers and members of the Filipino Community of Guam and other Filipino-American organizations. He also welcomed the Guam National Guard led by Major General Benny Paulino, the visiting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) delegation led by Major General Marlou Salazar.
Ms. Nina Auxilian, daughter of Consul Edgar Tomas Auxilian led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, while Consul Maria Paz G. Cortes led the Panunumpa sa Watawat.
The Flag Raising Ceremony was followed by a traditional Filipino breakfast at the Bayview on top of Guam Reef Hotel.
Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin delivered his Independence day message at the start of the breakfast by thanking the new management of Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort for continuing to host the annual flag raising ceremony and for their support for the activities of the Consulate General, including its promotion of Filipino cuisine through its annual Filipino Food Festival, which the Hotel was also hosting from June 10 to 16.
Acting Governor Ray Tenorio also gave his Independence Day greeting to the community while the members of the 32nd Guam Legislature led by Senator Tina Muña Barnes gave a Legislative Resolution to the Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort for its continued support to the Filipinos and Guamanians. Mr. Roy Adonay, President of the Filipino Community of Guam, gave closing remarks by thanking the members of the community for coming out to support the activity.
At 12:00 noon on June 12, Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin also graced the opening of the Filipino Food Festival at the Leo Palace Resort Hotel. This special event was organized by Ms. Chet Neri, Ms. Guam World Coordinator and Leo Palace Resort’s new Marketing Manager, to highlight the commemoration of the 115th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence by offering a sumptuous buffet at the Hotel’s Lagu Restaurant showcasing fine Filipino cuisine.
This event was attended by Guam Acting Governor Ray Tenorio, Mr. Toyohiko Andy Atsuta, Leo Palace Resort General Manager, FCG President, Mr. Roy Adonay, FCG Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr. Emelio Uy, some officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General as well as members of the Filipino Community of Guam.
115th Philippine Independence Day Celebration at Citibank Guam
At 3:00 PM of June 12, the Philippine Consulate General was also invited to the celebration tendered by the Citibank N.A. at the bank’s lobby in Agana, in recognition of the significant contribution of its Filipino and Filipino-Guamanian staff, who comprise a considerable segment of the Bank’s total employees.
Mr. Agustin Davalos, Citi Country Officer/Country Business Manager, said in his remarks that such a celebration is Citibank’s modest tribute to his efficient Filipino employees. He also made reference to the impressive economic performance of the Philippines at present as an important reason for the commemorative event.
Consul General Mangibin, on the other hand, expressed appreciation to Mr. Davalos for inviting the Consulate to the Citibank’s celebration of the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Independence to recognize its Filipino employees’ contribution and Philippines’ economic achievements. He also praised the bank’s Filipino employees and encouraged them to continue giving their best as employees of Citibank.
As highlight of the celebration, Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian, his wife, Vita and daughters, Sofia and Nina, offered a medley of Filipino nationalistic songs to the delight of the bank employees and guests.
115th Independence Day Dinner hosted by FCG Board of Trustees Chairman Emelio Uy
The Philippine Consulate General also attended the Independence Day Dinner hosted by Mr. Emelio Uy, Chairman of the FCG Board of Trustees, at the Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort at 6:30 in the evening of 12 June 2013.
The event was attended by Acting Governor Ray Tenorio and other Guam government officials, officers and members of the Filipino Community of Guam, Guam Filipino Artists, and Mr. Uy’s close friends from the medical profession and from the business sector.
The main highlights of the event were the ceremonial toast between Consul General Mangibin and Acting Governor Ray Tenorio, the awarding of prizes to the winners of this year’s GFA’s On the Spot Painting Contest for High School Students and the presentation by Mr. Oscar Atendido, Filipino fashion and jewelry designer, on the Filigree handcrafted jewelries.
FCG’s 115th Philippine Independence Day Ball, 14 June 2013
The Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) held its 115th Philippine Independence Day Ball last 14 June at the Sheraton Laguna Resort. It was attended by the different Guam Government officials, representatives of the various Filipino organizations on Guam, members and representatives of the consular corps, the entire staff of the Philippine Consulate General as well as guests from the business and corporate sector on Guam
The event’s main highlight was the induction of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) officers by Chief Justice F. Philip Carbullido of the Supreme Court of Guam, the FCG Board of Trustees by Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III of the Superior Court of Guam, and the Presidents of FCG Member Organizations by Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin.
An important part of the program was also the tribute to Mr. Antonio S. Dimalanta, FUAP, AIA, the founder and first President of the Filipino Community of Guam, who passed away recently.
The keynote speaker of the event was Dr. Efren N. Padilla, Professor/Director of Sociology/Urban Studies Program from California State University at East Bay.
Thanksgiving Mass for the 115th Philippine Independence, 16 June 2013
The Philippine Consulate General also joined the Filipino Community of Guam during the Thanksgiving Mass offered for the 115th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence that was held at the Sta. Barbara Church in Dededo at 12:00 noon last Sunday, 16 June 2013.
The mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Dan Bien, a Filipino priest assigned in that parish. Aside from the mass goers from the largely Filipino community of Dededo, the mass was also attended by the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General, officers and members of FCG and other Filipino organizations on Guam.
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Asan, 16 June 2013
Immediately after the thanksgiving mass at Sta. Barbara, the Philippine Consulate General’s officers and staff together with the officers and members of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) as well as the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association (BASTA) proceeded to Asan Park for the wreath laying ceremony at the Apolinario Mabini Shrine at 2:00 in the afternoon.
The wreath laying ceremony was spearheaded by BASTA as part of the Filipino community’s celebration of the 115th anniversary of the Philippine independence and commemoration of the birthday of Apolinario Mabini.
Born on 22 July 1864, Mabini was a Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who served as first Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign affairs of the Philippines. He is often referred to as “the Sublime Paralytic” and as “the Brains of the Revolution.”
In his message, Consul General Mangibin reminded the Filipinos on Guam to always remember and be proud of Mabini as a Filipino hero who had been to Guam. He noted that in 1901, Mabini was exiled to Guam, along with scores of revolutionists Americans referred to as ‘insurrectos’ and who refused to swear fealty to imperialist America. He returned home to the Philippines in 1903 after agreeing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States.
2013 Fiesta Celebration of the Apalit Association of Guam
As part of Guam’s Filipino community Independence Day celebration, the Apalit Association of Guam also held its 2013 Fiesta Celebration in honor of St. Peter, the patron saint of the municipality of Apalit, Pampanga, on June 23 at Ypao Beach/Gov. Flores Park.
The main highlight of the event was the fluvial procession of the image of St. Peter in Ypao Beach and a mass officiated by Guam Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, who was assisted by Father Paul Goffigan of Santa Barbara Parish.
The event was also attended by Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Jr., Senator Mike San Nicolas of the 32nd Guam Legislature, among other officials of Guam.
Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin, accompanied by the entire officers and staff of the Consulate, joined the celebration to show its support to and solidarity with the Apalit Association. Also in attendance were the officers and members of the FCG as well as the representatives of other Filipino organizations. END