26 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Santiago celebrated the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a brunch salo-salo on June 14 at the chancellery grounds in Santiago, Chile.
The event was attended by over 140 members of the Filipino community. Also present were ASEAN ambassadors in Chile, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, as well as the ambassadors of India, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Czech Republic.
Philippine Ambassador to Chile Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes, assisted by Vice Consul Raisa A. Mabayo, led the flag-raising ceremony with the singing of the national anthem and swearing of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Afterwards, the Ambassador read President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Independence Day message to the Filipinos while Ms. Mabayo shared the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. A thanksgiving mass celebrated by a Filipino priest, Fr. Mauro Bolante, promptly followed the speeches. The event culminated with a brunch “salo-salo,” where everyone enjoyed the various Filipino fare prepared by the Embassy and members of the community, who were proud to share their favorite homemade Filipino dishes to foreign and Filipino guests.
At present, there are approximately 300 Filipinos in Chile, with the number anticipated to rise in the coming years. END