23 June 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou commemorated the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of the Philippines with a reception at the Camellia-Magnolia Halls of LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou on June 13. The event’s theme was “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.”
The reception was attended by Chinese Government Officials, members of the Consular Corps in Guangzhou, key officials of the Filipino community organizations, and other guests from the media, travel and tourism agencies. Philippine Consul General Raly L. Tejada welcomed the guests of honor Rep. Maria Zenaida Angping, Congresswoman of the 3rd district of Manila, Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Mr. Zhang Weidong and Guangdong People’s Congress Director Mr. Chen Chunrong.
The ceremony started with playing both Filipino and Chinese National Anthems and the reading of the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III on the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence by Rep. Angping.
This was followed by the speech of Consul General Tejada. The Consul General welcomed the guests and thanked them for joining the commemoration of Philippine Independence as well as the celebration of the 39th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. In his speech, he stated that the Philippines and China have a history of trade long before the establishment of diplomatic ties, and that the world’s oldest Chinatown is in the city of Manila.
The speeches were succeeded by a ceremonial wine toast led by the Consul General with the guests of honor, Chinese Government Officials and Consular Corps.
After the ceremony, a dance performance by the Guangzhou Filipino Students Union (Filipino Students based in Guangzhou) followed. Set to the song “Piliin mo ang Pilipinas,” the performance featured a fusion of different ethnic and tribal dances such as “Tinikling,” “Bulaklakan,” “Carinosa,” “Pandanggo sa Ilaw,” and “Singkil.” This was then followed by a musical performance by the Neo Rush Band, an all-Filipino band based in the Garden Hotel, Guangzhou. They performed classic original Pilipino music (OPM) music. The performance was enjoyed by the guests as they danced to the beat of the music.
The celebration was capped by a raffle draw sponsored by Nanhu International Travel Service. The prize of a roundtrip ticket to Boracay was won by Ms. Minerva Lourdes De Guzman, a Filipino teacher.
Alongside the celebration, Consulate General personnel were on hand to register new overseas voters. END
