20 June 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Athens celebrated the 116th Anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence this June with a series of activities, including a reception for the Filipino community, a flag-raising ceremony, a diplomatic reception, and a fashion exhibition of “banaca wraps” by renowned Philippine designer Dita Sandico Ong.
A celebration for the Filipino community was held on June 09 at the Stratos Vassilikos Hotel. Leaders of Filipino organizations and active members of the Filipino community were invited to a simple reception.
On June 12, a flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds was held, where Philippine Ambassador to Greece Meynardo LB. Montealegre led the Embassy’s officers and staff in singing “Lupang Hinirang,” followed by the recitation of the “Panunumpa sa Watawat,” and the reading of the messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario and Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Baldoz.
On the evening of June 13, around 200 guests from the diplomatic community, the Greek government, the Greek maritime/shipping industry, the business sector, the academe, and research institutions and think tanks, attended the diplomatic reception at the Athens Ledra Hotel.
In his remarks, Ambassador Montealegre stated that this year’s diplomatic reception not only honors the bravery and courage of our forefathers who fought for Philippine Independence, but also recognizes the skills and talents of modern-day Filipinos who, with their creativity, ingenuity and successes in both local and international arenas, make all Filipinos tremendously proud that they continue to epitomize the admirable qualities of the Filipino people.
The guests sampled the flavors of different Filipino dishes such as chicken adobo, beef longganiza balls, as well as native sweets such as buchi, and pichi-pichi.
The reception was highlighted by a short fashion exhibition, entitled “Banaca Goes Athena,” by internationally-acclaimed Philippine designer Dita Sandcio Ong. The exhibition showcased Ms. Sandico Ong’s collection of various banaca wraps and fashion apparel. Her works “exemplify the indomitable spirit of both the Filipinos and the Greeks—strong, flexible and versatile—as mirrored by the wondrous abaca fabric that she uses in her craft,” the Ambassador said.
The guests were delighted when Ms. Sandico Ong gave a demonstration on how to wear the banaca wrap in countless ways. They were amazed at the wrap’s versatility and the numerous artistic ways to wear it.
The Embassy sought to sustain the keen interest of the Greek and international community in Athens with the “Banaca Goes Athena” fashion exhibition at this year’s diplomatic reception. Since 2012, the Embassy has embarked on a series of activities through the “Meet My Country: The Philippines” series designed to introduce the very best of the Philippines. In June 2012, the Embassy displayed Philippine furniture and home décor furnishings that blended antique and modern pieces from indigenous material to give the guests an idea of what a contemporary Filipino sala looks like. 
This continued in May 2013 with a showcase of music, visual arts, fashion, food and fiestas at the Meet My Country event, which was hosted at the Ambassador’s residence for the Women’s International Club of Athens. This was preceded in February 2013 by the successful visit of Trade Undersecretary and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia De Lima, where she encouraged Greek businesspeople to look at the trade and investment opportunities in the country. The third feature was “Sigay, Pilak, at Habi” (or “Shells, Silver and Wovencrafts”) in June 2013, an exhibit of fine handcrafted products made from Philippine seashells and silver-plated bronze, combined with a display of woven crafts made from indigenous fabrics, textiles and weaves that combine traditional and contemporary designs and styles for fashion wear, accessories and home furnishing. END