03 July 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Port Moresby kicked off its celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a diplomatic reception at the Philippine Residence grounds on June 11. Guests who graced the reception were lead by Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato OBE, Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investment Ben Micah, Minister for Finance James Marape, Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru, Secretary of Foreign Affairs William Dihm, and Chief of Protocol Jimmy Ovia. The Diplomatic Corps, the heads of the United Nations (UN) missions in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Filipino and PNG captains of industry, and leaders of the Filipino community in Port Moresby were also in attendance.
The guests were treated to a night of Philippine culture – a cultural presentation of songs and dances prepared by the Filipino community, traditional Filipino cuisine, and the warm Filipino hospitality.
On June 12, the Embassy held its flag raising ceremony with the Filipino community in Port Moresby in attendance. Philippine Consul General Pablito A. Mendoza read the Independence Day messages of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. Philipine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido V. Tejano read the Independence Day message of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The Embassy and the Filipino community then partook of a traditional Filipino agahan of pan de sal, kape, pansit, and kakanin. END