Filipino Community Celebrates Philippine Independence Day in Lithuania

Minister and Consul General Conrado B. Demdem, Jr. with the FilCom leaders in Lithuania, IOM Representative,  International House Vilnius (IHV) Representative, Representative of MWO-Prague  

WARSAW 26 June 2025 — The Filipino community in Lithuania headed by Ms. Maria Teresa  Markevicius held its first independence day celebration in Vilnius, Lithuania at the Best Western Hotel under the recurring theme, Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan 

The event was attended by approximately 120 members of the Filipino community  living in different parts of Lithuania. 

Minister and Consul General Conrado B. Demdem, Jr. represented the Philippine  Embassy in Warsaw, Poland on behalf of Philippine Ambassador Leah M. Basinang Ruiz. 

The event featured the Independence Day video messages of Philippine President  Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Mme. Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Philippine  Ambassador to Lithuania Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz. Minister and Consul General  Demdem read the Independence Day Message of Philippine Secretary of Foreign  Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, while Ms. Alexandra Lipio of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) based in Prague, Czech Republic read the message of Secretary for  Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac.  

The invited resource speakers were Ms. Yauheniya Bakhar of the International  Organization for Migration (IOM), Ms. Indre Lauciene of the International House of  Vilnius (IHV), PNB Europe Managing Director Ms. Cristy Vicenta, and Megaworld  International Vice President Ms. Ethel Lim.  

Following the speeches and presentations, a Q&A session was conducted for the  benefit of the Filipino Community. The panel members, composed of representatives  from the Philippine Embassy, MWO Prague, and IHV, fielded questions, including  those concerning living and studying in Lithuania, as well as preparing for  contingencies in light of regional tensions. 

To add more Filipino flavor to the occasion, Filipino talents, including former The Voice  Lithuania Filipino contestant Ms. Noimie Steikunas, sang OPM songs to the  audience’s delight.  

Awards and recognitions were then given to Filipino community members who worked  hard to make the event a reality.  

While the Independence Day celebration was ongoing, the Philippine Embassy was  conducting its Consular Outreach Activity, alongside MWO Prague, at the same hotel. Consular services, including passport renewal, notarial, civil registration, and  assistance to nationals, were extended to Filipinos living and working in Lithuania. 

The latest official figures put the number of overseas Filipinos in Lithuania at around 700,  which is expected to increase in the coming years. END

Independence Day Message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.  

Independence Day Message of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos 

Message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo read by Minister and Consul General Conrado  B. Demdem, Jr. 

Independence Day Message of Philippine Ambassador to Lithuania Leah M. Basinang Ruiz

Q & A session with the Philippine Embassy, MWO-Prague, and IHV representatives 

Filipino talents render songs 

Consular Outreach Activity in Vilnius headed by Minister and Consul General Conrado Demdem Jr.

For more information, visit https://www.warsawpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPoland/.