GOVPH

PH Embassy in Moscow Conducts Barrio Fiesta sa Embahada

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Ambassador Igor Bailen reads his speech at the event (Moscow PE photo)

MOSCOW 15 June 2023 - In line with the commemoration and celebration of the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow held a Barrio Fiesta sa Embahada on 11 June 2023 at the chancery grounds and invited members of the Filipino community, counterparts from various areas of cooperation with Russian agencies, government offices, and private organizations, as well as select members of the diplomatic corps.

The program was divided into two parts. In the morning, a formal ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador to Moscow Igor Bailen, where the speeches of the President, and the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Trade and Industry were read by officers of the Embassy and the attached agencies. Ambassador Bailen also addressed the crowd of nearly 120 people, and reminded them to be responsible citizens who carry the prestige of the Philippines as they work hard for themselves and their families in Russia.

Following the speeches, a cultural program entertained guests and visitors to the embassy. Samba Real Moscow, a drum and percussion ensemble provided festive and lively music to a group of Ati-atihan dancers who opened the Parade of Talents, which featured volunteer individual and group performers from various Filipino community organizations. The parade was composed of dancers representing the Cordillera region, members of the All-Russia Filipino Community Leaders’ Council, and performers of the Philippine Embassy Cultural Performers’ Group. Russian and Filipino children dressed in traditional sagala attires also participated in the parade bearing santacruzan arches. The drummers and Ati-atihan dancers led the performers back out in a processional parade, which marked the end of the morning program.

Food was distributed by the Embassy as well as by the various community groups who each had their own booths. The Embassy was able to secure pledges for lunch and food packs for the guests from the organizations, who presented their best dishes and snacks for the attendees. Apart from the free food given away by the embassy and the groups, community members also sold various food and non-food items in their respective booths. These decorated booths were judged against several criteria, and Deputy Chief of Mission Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. pledged a prize and awarded the best booth.

The afternoon program was hosted and led by the community, which featured several performances, including song and dance numbers from PH Embassy officers and staff and the PH Embassy Band. Prizes donated by community members, PH Embassy personnel and attached agencies were raffled off to the attendees. Guest of honor Consul a.h. of the Russian Federation to Cebu Armi Lopez Garcia of the Russian Federation to Cebu drew the winning ticket stub of the raffle.

No untoward incidents took place, thanks in part to the group of volunteer marshals who worked with Embassy security and Peace and Order personnel to ensure that the crowd was safe, orderly, and organized during the proceedings. Upon the Embassy’s request, Moscow City Diplomatic Police, who came equipped with portable metal detectors and scanners, were also deployed at all entrances. END

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Ambassador Bailen and members of the Filipino community of Moscow (Moscow PE photo)

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Head of Economic and Cultural Section Third Secretary and Vice Consul Nonito Cabrera, Jr. performing on stage (Moscow PE photo)

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Head of Political Section Second Secretary and Consul Mr. Jose Carlo G. Morales performing on stage with Attache Mr. Alex G. Sunga and Local Hire Alexey Stulikov (Moscow PE photo)

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