25 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Beirut hosted a National Day reception to celebrate the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12 at the Mӧvenpick Hotel Beirut.
The official representatives of the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and of Prime Minister Tammam Salam, respectively, were Member of Parliament Dr. Qassem Hachem and Minister of Youth and Sports General Abdel-Mottaleb El-Hennawi. The other high officials present were the Minister of Environment Mr. Mohammad Machnouq, Member of Parliament Dr. Khaled Zahraman, and the Papal Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mgr. Gabriele Caccia.
In her well-applauded speech, with some parts delivered in Arabic, Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz highlighted the economic achievements of the Aquino Administration and the ongoing active collaboration between the Philippine Embassy and Lebanon’s government, academe, media, civil society, and business community.
Also in attendance were Ambassadors and members of the Honorary Consular Corps, officials from different Lebanese ministries and agencies, heads of international organizations and non-governmental organizations, representatives from the Lebanese private sector and civil society and leaders of Filipino community organizations in Lebanon. END