PH Embassy in Dili Celebrates 127th Anniversary of Proclamation of Philippine Independence

The Philippine Embassy in Dili, together with Kababayans and Timorese friends during the celebration. (Dili PE photo)

DILI 24 June 2025 — Some 300 Filipinos and their Timorese friends gathered at the festive grounds of the Philippine Embassy on 15 June 2025 to commemorate the 127th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence.

The event began with a flag-hoisting ceremony led by young Filipino and Timorese scouts, followed by a spirited march by the Drum and Lyre Corps of St. Jude Thaddeus International School. Philippine dances then took center stage, thanks to the generous participation of four Filipino international schools in Dili: St. Mary’s International School for the Subli folk dance, Heritage International School for the Panulo sa Nayon at Sayaw Dabaw, Maharlika International School for Gayang-gayang, Manbuka, Kalasag, and Tayaw and St. Jude Thaddeus International School for the Sayaw sa Bangko, a lively dance performed atop narrow benches, demonstrating remarkable balance and coordination. The school also honored the colorful heritage of Zamboanga through the Chavacano Dance, reflecting the diverse cultural influences of the region.

The performers’ creative volunteerism was echoed in the Independence Day message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.:  “Independence must remain a living endeavour, not just to honour the heroic deeds of the past but to recognize a continuing work of nation-building.”  As observed by Ambassador Mary Anne Padua, the Filipino community in Timor-Leste remains true to this ethos, contributing to their host country’s nation-building efforts, especially through the Filipino international schools in Dili which continue to educate both Filipinos and the Timorese in their critical formative years.

A novel highlight in the festivities was the traditional pukpok palayok, which rekindled fond childhood memories on the part of the Filipino community, and elicited delight among the Timorese guests.

The program ended with Philippine Embassy officials, the Board of Directors of the Association of Filipinos in East Timor (AFET), and all performers standing in solemn formation as the impassioned notes of O Bayan Ko, a composition of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, and the Philippine national anthem Lupang Hinirang soared up the clear Timorese sky in rousing chorus.  

In true Filipino custom, guests were treated to a hearty breakfast of adobo, pancit bihon, pandesal, sopas, fried rice, eggs, sausages, and potluck contributions from Otso Paris Filipino Corner, St. Jude Thaddeus International School, Bea Marie Restaurant, and Lucky Cake House. END

The four Filipino international schools in Dili who performed during the celebration: St. Mary’s International School for the Subli folk dance, Heritage International School for the Panulo sa Nayon at Sayaw Dabaw, Maharlika International School for Gayang-gayang, Manbuka, Kalasag, and Tayaw and St. Jude Thaddeus International School for the Sayaw sa Bangko. (Dili PE photos)

Flag-hoisting ceremony led by young Filipino and Timorese scouts. (Dili PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.dilipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinTimorLeste/, https://twitter.com/PHinTimorLeste, or https://www.instagram.com/phlintimorleste/.