19 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka hosted a special reception for the Filipino community in celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Philippine Chancery in Dhaka on June 12.
The event gathered more than a hundred Filipinos living and working in Bangladesh. Everyone came in their best Filipino traditional attire. Philippine representative to the Bangladesh National Defence Course for 2015 Lieutenant Commander PJ Alcaras and Philippine Honorary Consul in Chittagong Mohammed Abdul Awwal joined Ambassador Bandillo, Consul General Lomondot and the heads of Filipino organizations in the flag-raising ceremony.
In welcoming the guests, Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Vicente Vivencio T. Bandilloconveyed the Independence Day messages of Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay while Consul General Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot had the honour of reading the messages of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.
The Embassy dedicated this year’s occasion to the Filipino community by highlighting their works and contributions to the advancement of the image of the Philippines globally. In recognition of their enthusiasm and untiring efforts in promoting the Philippines, the Embassy launched a photo gallery featuring a collection of timeless photographs from the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite to a range of Philippine National Day activities and presentations conducted by the Filipino community in Bangladesh. Ambassador Bandillo then presented tokens of recognition to the immediate past officers and advisers of the Philippine Society in Bangladesh (PSB) and the Filipino Grand Alliance in Bangladesh (FGAB).
The opening of the Filipino Food Festival followed. The Chancery grounds, lined with festooned fiesta-look stalls, was crowded by guests enthusiastically visiting all booths to taste the different Filipino delicacies served. Both kids and adults participated in and enjoyed the Filipino games such as pop the balloon, basag palayok and Sisa went to the Embassy, a version of Maria went to Town. The Embassy also put up a booth to accommodate overseas voters registration and the distribution of Voters’ ID. The festivity concluded with a sumptuous buffet lunch. END