PH Embassy in Vientiane Celebrates 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of PH Independence with Filipino Community
Philippine Ambassador-designate to Lao PDR Elizabeth T. Te, Embassy personnel, and members of the Filipino community in Laos pose for a group photo after the flag-raising ceremony. (Vientiane PE photo)
VIENTIANE 19 June 2025 — In commemoration of the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane conducted a flag-raising ceremony with members of the Filipino community in Laos at the Embassy’s premises in Vientiane on 12 June 2025.
The event commenced with the singing of the Philippine national anthem, followed by the recitation of the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas, led by Colonel Shahjahan Carl D. Delos Santos, Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the Lao PDR.
This was followed by the video messages of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.
In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador-designate to the Lao PDR, Elizabeth T. Te informed the Filipino community that the Lao Government recognizes their active contribution to the progress of the Lao PDR’s society and economy.
She took the opportunity to remind them of the rise in human trafficking and illegal recruitment cases, and encouraged them to closely coordinate with the Embassy should they have information about possible victims or suspicious activities.
She launched the Instagram page of the Embassy (@phinlaopdr) primarily to enable the Embassy’s services and updates to reach more Filipinos in the Lao PDR.
The Ambassador-designate further highlighted that this year is significant as the Philippines and the Lao PDR celebrate 70 years of friendship. Both countries established bilateral relations on 14 January 1955.
The Embassy invited Fr. William Guillaume of the Sacred Heart Cathedral to conduct a blessing of the new chancery.
To make Philippine Independence Day and 70th anniversary celebrations more meaningful, the event featured a Filipino bazaar or “tiangge”. Filipino entrepreneurs were provided a venue to showcase various products, both Filipino and Lao. Artworks were also on display at the bazaar.
The Embassy prepared Filipino breakfast treats such as beef tapa, pork tocino, relyenong bangus, sinangag, pan de sal and various kakanin for the participants. The event was attended by around 150 FilCom members.
Members of the Filipino community were also treated to a photobooth featuring various Philippine destinations and festivals as background, which highlight Philippine culture and heritage.
The Embassy’s Independence Day celebrations will be followed by a diplomatic reception after Ambassador-designate Te’s presentation of credentials on 02 July 2025. END
The flag-raising ceremony was attended by around 150 Filcom members. (Vientiane PE photo)
Fr. William Guillaume of the Sacred Heart Cathedral blesses the new chancery. (Vientiane PE photo)
Filipino breakfast treats such as beef tapa, pork tocino, relyenong bangus, sinangag, pan de sal and various kakanin enjoyed by the guests
Booths showcasing various products, both Filipino and Lao, and artworks at the Philippine bazaar. (Vientiane PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.vientianepe.dfa.gov.ph or www.facebook.com/PHinLaoPDR.