23 June 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR marked the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in simple rites held at the Consulate General's premises on June 12.
Members of the Filipino community were invited to sing the national anthem, pledge allegiance to the flag, participate in an interfaith invocation, and listen to the messages of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, and Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, which were read by Consul General Bernardita Catalla, Deputy Consul General Rosanna Villamor Voogel, Consul Lorena Joy Banagodos, and Labor Attaché Manuel Roldan, respectively.
This was the first event attended by Consul General Catalla, who was warmly welcomed by the Filipino community. Consul General Catalla arrived the night before and immediately met her new constituents during the breakfast. In her remarks, Consul General Catalla pledged to keep the Consulate General open to suggestions on how to further improve its services to the Filipino community. She also noted that she would focus on financial literacy projects and the overseas voting exercise.
PLDT Hong Kong also announced the launch of their new services for Filipinos by introducing free calls to the Consulate General’s hotlines (Assistance to Nationals 9155-4023; OWWA 6345-9324; Labor 6080-8323) and text messages (by inputting 1528242) to the Philippine Consulate General for their subscribers. Overseas employment certificates can now also be secured from the SMART Pinoy Centre at Shop 109, Worlwide House, Central.
Short video tributes were also given to individuals and groups in Hong Kong who were recently recognized for their contributions to the community. They included Bagong Bayani awardees Saturnino Tiamson, Jr. and Joseph Bautista, University of the Philippines outstanding alumni Daisy Mandap, who was represented by her husband Leo Deocadiz, She Dares to Change awardee Lenlen Mesina, and outstanding alumni chapter UP Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter, which was represented by Mr. Tiamson. Father Emil Lim, SVD, who is about to go on a sabbatical, was also feted for serving as the Filipino Chaplain in Hong Kong.
The Children's Paradise Chorale and Rondalla from Mandaue City in Cebu provided the entertainment. A simple breakfast featuring different silog and pan de sal combinations capped the event.
The Independence Day breakfast was the second event organized by the Philippine Consulate General following the day-long Kapangyawan Festival in Chater Road last June 8. END