24 June 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General joined the Filipino Community of Guam during the Thanksgiving Mass offered for the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence that was held at the St. Anthony – St. Victor Church in Tamuning on June 14.
The Mass was said in Filipino and was officiated by Father Rudy Arriola, a Filipino priest assigned to St. Anthony – St. Victor Church and former President of the Filipino Community of Guam. The mass was concelebrated by fifteen Filipino priests and Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, O.F.M. Cap, who delivered the final blessings also in Filipino. He mentioned that it was his first time to hear mass celebrated in the Filipino language. The beautifully blended voices of the Una Voce choir, which had performed during the vin d’honneur two nights earlier, added joy to the celebration.
The mass was attended by Governor Amando Tetangco of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, his wife Madam Elvira Tetangco, daughter Mia, Dr. Edna Villa, and Ms. Fe dela Cruz, who are also from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, as well as officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General, and officers and members of the FCG and other Filipino organizations.
Immediately after the thanksgiving mass, the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, together with the officers and members of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) and the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association (BASTA) proceeded to Asan Park for the wreathlaying ceremony at the Apolinario Mabini Shrine in the afternoon. The wreathlaying ceremony was spearheaded by BASTA and FCG as part of the Filipino community’s celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
In his message after the wreathlaying, Philippine Consul General Marciano R. de Borja recognized Mabini as a Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who served as the first Prime Minister and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. He also reminded Filipinos on Guam to always remember and be proud of Mabini as a Filipino hero who has been to Guam. He noted that in 1901, Mabini was exiled to Guam, along with Filipino co-exiles Leon Flores, Pancrasio Palting and Maximo Tolentino, who eventually stayed on the island and became well known pillars of Guam society.
Governor Tetangco presented Consul General de Borja a special Mabini commemorative coin that was minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on the occasion of the hero’s 150th Birth Anniversary.
The afternoon’s activities was concluded with a merienda cena, hosted by Ms. Nita Baldovino, President of the Filipino Community at The Gallery of the Hilton Hotel. END