16 June 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General in Milan participated in the celebration of the 117th Philippine Independence Day on June 07, organized by the Federation of Filipino Associations in Piemonte, in collaboration with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Turin, at Teatro San Luigi.
The event began with a Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. John Benna, Chaplain of the Filipino Community in Turin. An afternoon program followed, with the theme “Tagumpay sa pagbabagong nasimulan, abot kamay na ng bayan”, showcasing different performances rendered by the members of different Filipino associations in Piemonte that reflected Filipino culture and traditions.
In his remarks, Fr. John Benna, who himself experienced living in the Philippines for almost 50 years, expressed his admiration for the unity of the Filipinos. He added that Filipinos are not only united by race and language but through their faith in God.
Vice Consul Helen Anne Sayo conveyed the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the Filipino people.
Also present in the celebration were Philippine Honorary Consul Maria Grazia Cavallo and Mr. Giovanni Firera, Director for Communications of the Italian Social Security Institute in the Piemonte region. Honorary Consul Cavallo remarked that the unity of the Filipino people is the strength of the nation. END