23 December 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara commemorated the 150th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio last November 30. Embassy officers, embassy staff, and members of the Ankara Filipino Community attended the commemoration.
After the singing of the Philippine national nnthem, Ms. Leilani S. Feliciano, Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. delivered the opening remarks and explained the significance of the hero Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary. Chargé d’ Affaires Feliciano narrated the life of Bonifacio, dubbed as the Father of Philippine Revolution. He was a founder and later Supremo ("supreme leader") of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution. He is considered a de facto national hero of the Philippines, and is viewed by some Filipino historians to be the first President, although not officially recognized as such. She emphasized that all Filipinos could learn from Andres Bonifacio’s example and emulate his courage and patriotism.
The opening remarks was followed by an introduction about Andres Bonifacio and discussed by Mrs.
Susana Feliciano with a slide presentation. It was followed by a presentation of a documentary film introduced by Ms. Eunice P. Trinidad, Cultural Officer, that featured the life of Andres Bonifacio. The Philippine Embassy Cultural Section prepared the audiovisual presentation/brief documentary.
The Filipino community in Ankara expressed their appreciation to Chargé d’ Affaires Feliciano and the Philippine Embassy officers and staff, saying that they were deeply inspired about the heroism of Andres Bonifacio. Lively exchanges of views about the documentary presentation were likewise conducted while enjoying the delicious merienda (snacks) prepared by the Embassy staff. END