18 June 2014 — The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka hosted day-long events to commemorate the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12.
In the morning, the Embassy held the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds with members of the Embassy family and Filipino community. The Independence Day messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay were read by Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo and the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario was read by Consul General Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot.
The short ceremony was followed by the launching of the Embassy’s redesigned website and the announcement on the continuing overseas voters registration for the 2016 national elections.
The morning event ended with guests enjoying Filipino breakfast served by the Embassy.
In the evening, Ambassador Bandillo hosted a reception at Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka for members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Bangladesh government and business institutions and officers of Filipino organizations.
In his address during the diplomatic reception, Ambassador Bandillo expressed his pride at the continued growth of Philippine-Bangladesh partnership as validated by the recent signing of the bilateral cultural agreement, visa agreement for diplomatic and official passports, approved proposal on the signing of agreement on the conduct of regular joint policy consultation and the recent establishment of the Bangladesh-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BPCCI).
Bangladesh Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, chief guest at the reception, remarked on the existing cordial relationship between his country and the Philippines which, he emphasized, is strengthened by both countries’ sympathy and support for each other’s needs especially in times of great natural disasters.
The reception was taken as a great opportunity for the Embassy to extend the Philippine government’s deep appreciation for the international aid it received for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda by showing a short presentation featuring the Philippines’ Thank You video message to the world.
All of the guests were delighted by the Filipino dances presented by members of the Filipino community in Dhaka and the raffle of Philippine handicrafts provided by Madame Alma Maria A. Bandillo.
Everyone left the reception with a commemorative gift in sinamay bag containing buri fan, some packs of dried mangoes courtesy of Profoods International and It’s More Fun in the Philippines brochures. END
