19 June 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid, accompanied by Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Attache Raymund Ondiano attended the Philippine Independence Day celebration organized by the PILSAG (Association of Filipinos in Ghana) and the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Accra, held at the Fiesta Royale Hotel In the Ghanaian capital on June 13. The Philippine Embassy in Nigeria exercises administrative jurisdiction over Ghana.
The celebration featured a Dinner-Dance dubbed “Dances of the Decades” with members of the Filipino community performing numbers from the 1960’s to the 1990’s, followed by a public dance with the Qu’est-ce que c’est Band providing the live music.
In a nod to Philippine cultural traditions, Mr. Ernesto Aranas rendered the kundiman “Kahit isang saglit” and “Ngayon at kailanman”, while Ms. Gesille Dunque performed a traditional Yakan dance entitled Kayapu and N’dik, showcasing the dancer’s dexterity in balancing half a dozen plates. PILSAG Executive Committee led the singing of the patriotic song Bayan Ko.
The celebration commenced with Invocation delivered by Filipino missionary Fr. Dionysius Nellas SVD, followed by the singing of the Ghanaian and Philippine National Anthems led by Filipino-Ghanaian Ms. Anabel Kubabom. PILSAG Chairman Mr. Eduardo Manalo welcomed guests to the affair. Philippine Honorary Consul General Prof. Alex Quarmyne delivered his Independence Message, in which he emphasized the positive contributions made by Filipinos to the development of Ghanaian society. Consul General Quarmyne also lauded the Filipino community for being law-abiding, noting that Filipinos in Ghana were not involved in infractions of the law.
The Independence Day Messages of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and President Benigno S. Aquino III were read by PILSAG members.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lamadrid commended the PILSAG and the Philippine Honorary Consulate General for organizing the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Accra every year. He also thanked them for assisting kababayans in the Philippines during natural calamities. Ambassador Lamadrid encouraged them to continue their charitable activities by giving back to their host country as well. In line with this year’s theme “Triumph through reforms, within nation’s reach,” Ambassador Lamadrid also informed them about the recent successes achieved by the Aquino administration in the economic and political spheres.
Ambassador Lamadrid, PILSAG Vice-Chairperson Ms. Marian Tadefa-Kubabom, and the RVM Sisters (Ghana District) also launched the fund-raising brochure for the Mother Ignacia Early Childhood Development Centre. The brochure aims to build more partnerships and raise funds for the centre, which caters to an average 50 underprivileged children ages 2-5 years in Asuadei, southern Ghana.
The celebration also featured a dinner with favorite Filipino delicacies including crispy lechon, adobo, pansit, and other dishes prepared by the hotel’s Italian chef, as well as drawing of raffle prizes for lucky attendees.
The grand affair was attended by more than a hundred Filipinos from all walks of life: Filipinas married to Ghanaians and their families, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in various industries and service sectors, missionary priests and nuns, as well as Ghanaians and other foreign friends of the Philippines. Important guests who graced the celebration included Ghana’s former Minister of Information, as well as the Dean and Vice Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps and their spouses.
The Embassy team rendered consular services, overseas voters registration, and ATN consultations during the celebration in Accra. END