18 March 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi joined the Filipino Community in celebrating the 28th Anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution at the Philippine Embassy last February 23.
A thanksgiving mass was held prior to the celebration for the miracle of EDSA, followed by an Ecumenical prayer for peace and protection of the Filipinos all over the world. The Ecumenical prayer was led by Sister Lilian Curaming, OMI, Dr. Mitch Medina, and Eleazar Ocampo.
During the group singing, the community fervently sang the songs "Bayan Ko" and "Magkaisa" in addition to the Philippine National Anthem.
Another highlight of the event was the cake-cutting ceremony. The President of the Filipino Community in Kenya, Romeo de Ia Cruz, assisted by Father Eusebio Manangbao, SVD representing the Filipino religious in Kenya and Donna Feliciano Gatmaytan, Charge d'Affaires, a.i. of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, cut the People Power cake made especially for the occasion. The cake bore the theme for this year: "Kapit-bisig tungo sa Pagbangon".
After the cake-cutting ceremony, members of the community, led by Edward Rodriguez, an auditor of the United Nations and Dr. Fred Acosta, professor at the famous Strathmore University in Kenya, recalled the events of that time and shared their respective experiences as well as their personal reflections about the significance of the event to the Philippines at the Open Forum.
Sister Vicenta Javier, R.A., an Assumption nun who was based in Bacolod during the People Power Revolution recounted the sacrifice of Evelio Javier and his family whom she knew personally. Harvey Garcia, representing the youth also shared how his experience as a young four-year old child exposed to his parent's spirit of volunteerism during the peaceful revolution gave him the strength to do his share in transforming society whether in the Philippines or anywhere in the world. Mr. Garcia was a member of the non governmental organization Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).
The Embassy also prepared a gallery of historical photos of the People Power Revolution that everyone enjoyed viewing while reminiscing the event. END