17 June 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Rome, together with the Filipino community, commenced the month-long festivities to commemorate the 116th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.
The celebration started with the Filipino community’s annual Santacruzan procession on May 25. The Santacruzan, organized by the Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy, commenced from the Basilica di Santa Pudenziana (home base of the Filipino Parish community in Rome) and wound its way to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
The Santacruzan procession, which marks the founding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena, was graced by the participation of the Filipino youth wearing Filipiniana attire, from the various religious communities all over Rome.
The event culminated with a Mass at the Santa Maria Maggiore where Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. and Ambassador Mercedes Tuason, Philippine envoy to the Holy See, were both in attendance.
On May 28, the Embassy observed the "Pambansang Araw ng Watawat" (National Flag Day) at the Embassy grounds with the singing of the Philippine national anthem and the recitation of the "Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas".
DFA Assistant Secretary for Policy Henry S. Bensurto was the special guest of the Embassy during the occasion.
On June 1, the Independence Day Thanksgiving Mass was held at the historic center in the Basilica di Santa Pudenziana, where the Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy is based. END