15 July 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, in cooperation with the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), held the Filipino community celebration of Kalayaan 2014 on June 15 at the Consulate General premises as part of its month-long celebration of the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
The Consulate General’s front courtyard was transformed into a fiesta venue complete with tents, “banderitas” and festive music. The occasion served as a get-together for Consulate General personnel and their families, Filipino students, entertainers, teachers, office staff, skilled workers, technical personnel, and business executives living within the Consulate General’s jurisdiction. Filipinos from Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Shishi and other areas converged in the compound of the Consulate General for this annual gathering.
The celebration commenced with a Roman Catholic Mass service followed by the singing of the Philippine national anthem led by Philippine Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores. The Consul General also read the Independence Day message of President Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. while the message from Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario was read by Consul Ambrosio Enciso III.
In his own welcome remarks to the gathering, the Consul General thanked everyone for celebrating this significant event with their fellow “kababayans”. He lauded the community leaders for their continued and invaluable support of the Consulate General’s programs and activities.
The Consul General then reminded everyone of the continuing registration of overseas voters for the 2016 National Elections. He also exhorted all Filipinos to follow local laws and be good examples as OFWs while reminding everyone to remain vigilant and avoid involvement in the sale and trafficking of illegal narcotics.
Messages were also delivered by the presidents of the FAX and Filipinos in Quanzhou China (FINCH).
A simple pananghalian and merienda were served to all attendees.
The afternoon was filled with dancing and music courtesy of Filipino entertainers based in Xiamen. The merrymaking was made even more enjoyable with fun games and raffle draws for prizes given to lucky participants. The grand prize was a round trip ticket for the Xiamen-Manila-Xiamen route courtesy of Philippine Airlines Xiamen. END