17 June 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago gathered the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community on June 13 to celebrate the 116th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.
Reversing the usual practice of community members presenting entertainment and cultural numbers in past national day celebrations, this year the Embassy officers and staff, their spouses and their children prepared song and dance numbers for the Filipino community.
The program started with the video message of President Benigno S. Aquino III which was delivered in Naga City in the morning of June 12. This was followed by the Ambassador’s message.
In his message, Ambassador Tago conveyed his appreciation to the Filipino community for taking time out from their busy schedules to attend the celebration. He conveyed to the community the importance of the sacrifices of our heroes for us to gain the freedom and democracy we all enjoy today.
The Filipino community was entertained by the Embassy children’s rendition of the song “I Am But a Small Voice”; followed by a ballet number, “Dalagang Pilipina” performed by Ms. Farrah D. Dingal, the nationalistic song “Tagumpay Nating Lahat” performed by the Philippine Embassy choir, the traditional “Pandango sa Ilaw” led by Social Welfare Attache By Ms. Perlita V. Panganiban and Embassy spouses.
Embassy personnel, spouses and their children participated in a Filipiniana Fashion Show showcasing traditional/classic, ethnic and contemporary Philippine fashion.
This was followed by back-to-back song numbers by Minister and Consul General Marshall Louis M. Alferez who sang “Kahit Isang Saglit” and Second Secretary and Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal who sang “Ikaw.” For the finale, Ms. Mae I. Galvez, spouse of Attache Emmanuel P. Galvez, sang “Dakilang Lahi.”
During the program, Ambassador Tago took the opportunity to welcome and introduce to the Filipino community the new officers and staff of the Embassy and also bid farewell to its personnel whose tours of duty will be ending in June 2014.
The program was hosted by Second Secretary and Consul Winston Dean S. Almeda. END
