19 June 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Agana and the Filipino community of Guam marked on June 12 the commemoration of the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a flag raising ceremony at the Guam Reef Hotel. The ceremony, which has traditionally been organized by the management and staff of the Guam Reef Hotel in coordination with the Consulate General, was held at the façade of the hotel located in Tumon, Guam’s principal tourist district.
Standing to the left of Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin during the flag raising ceremony were Guam Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio and Senator Aline Yamashita, while to the Consul General’s right stood Rear Admiral Romeo Santiago O. Nebres of the Philippine Navy with Major General Benny Paulino, Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard. A contingent of star-ranked officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were on Guam to participate in one of the many ongoing cooperation activities hosted by the Guam National Guard under the U.S. State Partnership Program.
After the flag raising ceremony, guests and members of the Filipino community were invited to partake of the sumptuous Filipino breakfast prepared by the Guam Reef Hotel. Consul General Mangibin and Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio delivered brief remarks after breakfast in which they both extolled the great Filipinos of history and their struggle for independence, while encouraging all those present to continue following in their footsteps to truly achieve the blessings of liberty, peace and prosperity.
Philippine Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin delivered his Independence Day remarks after the flag raising ceremony at the Guam Reef Hotel. Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio responded on behalf of the Government of Guam and thanked the Filipino community on the island for all their contributions and the role they continue to play in the development of Guam. The Filipino breakfast hosted by the hotel included guests from the Government of Guam, the 32nd Guam Legislature, the Consular Corps, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Guam National Guard, and the Filipino community.
Vin d’honneur at the Westin Resort Guam
That same evening, the Consul General hosted nearly two hundred guests at the vin d’honneur that was held at the Somnak Ballroom of the Westin Resort Guam. During the program, the messages of Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, and President Benigno S. Aquino III were read, as has become the practice during the Independence Day celebrations.
Once the messages had been read, Consul General Mangibin shared his thoughts about the significance of the occasion and offered a toast to the enduring partnership between the Philippines, Guam and the United States. Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo responded in kind and likewise offered a toast to the continued success of the Philippines as it strives to promote and sustain broad and lasting change for the benefit of all its people.
The evening was lent a musical atmosphere befitting the occasion, with the captivating performances of the multi-awarded musical couple, songwriter Mr. Vehnee Saturno and songbird Ms. Ladine Roxas. Also sharing her talent that evening was Miss Nina “Joey” Auxilian, daughter of Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian. END