DFA Wins Independence Day Float Competition
Photo courtesy of DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia
MANILA 13 June 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs won the float competition organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in commemoration of the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence. The Department’s float named “Talagháy” was declared champion in the National Government Agency category of the competition whose participants came from the first 10 agencies created during the establishment of the Revolutionary Government in 1898.
Talagháy is a Filipino word for resilience. The name of the DFA float was inspired by the Department’s vision of “a resilient foreign service for a strong Philippines.”
The float represented the old and the new of Philippine diplomacy. The front part depicted Apolinario Mabini, the first-ever Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Also enacted were the members of the Hongkong Junta (e.g., Felipe Agoncillo) who were the first Philippine envoys tasked by Mabini to seek and establish diplomatic relations with friendly countries.
The back part of the float meanwhile presented the modern diplomats of today, interacting with their foreign counterparts. The revolving globe with 98 lights represented the breadth and scope of DFA’s work as dutifully undertaken by its 98 foreign service posts abroad.
In accordance with the criterion set by the NHCP, the float used sustainable materials. In fact, the wooden parts were taken mostly from old office furniture of the DFA whose building will be undergoing retrofitting this year. Natural materials such as capiz were also used to emphasize the Philippine character of the float as well as the wave-like structures made from sinamay which gave emphasis to the Philippines as a maritime and archipelagic nation.
The cultural performance represented the DFA’s main stakeholders--Filipinos both here and abroad. It paid homage to their inherent roles as agents of the country’s image and reputation of good-standing in the international community of nations.
DFA’s float is on display for public viewing at the front lawn of the Cultural Center of the Philippines until 16 June 2024. END
Photo courtesy of DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia
Photo courtesy of DFA-OPD Johannes Adrian De Guia