PHL Consulate General in Agana Hosts Vin D’honneur Reception, Concert  for Kalayaan 2017

Philippine Consul General to Agana Marciano R. de Borja hosted the Vin d’Honneur and reception in commemoration of the 119^th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 1June 12 at Ballroom C, Pacific Star Resort & Spa, Tumon, Guam. Consul General Marciano R. de Borja and Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio lead the ceremonial toast during the event.  (Photo courtesy of Mr. Allan Tangayan)

19 June 2017 AGANA, GUAM – Philippine Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja hosted the Vin d’Honneur and reception in commemoration of the 119^th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12 at Ballroom C, Pacific Star Resort & Spa, Tumon, Guam. 

The program started with the singing of the Philippine and US national anthems and the Guam Hymn led by Ms. Agatha de Borja followed by the reading of the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian.  The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Kalayaan 2017:  Pagbabagong Sama-samang Balikatin”.

Consul General de Borja and Guam Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio led the ceremonial toast to celebrate the close friendship and strong ties between the Philippines, the United States and the island of Guam.

After the ceremonial toasts, the more than 150 guests, which included dignitaries, Guam government officials, business, armed services among others, were serenaded by renowned Filipino pianist Dr. Raul M. Sunico, the Philippine Consulate General’s guest of honor, with a piano piece called “Buhat” (“Since”).

Earlier in the day, a flag ceremony followed by a Filipino breakfast was hosted by the Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General.  The flag-raising ceremony is traditionally held in the open air at the front loop area of the hotel.  However, due to inclement weather, the flag ceremony had to be held indoors, at the Top of the Reef on the 18th floor of the hotel where breakfast was served.

Renowned Filipino pianist Dr. Raul M. Sunico takes a bow before the audience who gave a standing ovation for his performance at a concert in commemoration of the 119th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 13 at the Guam Museum Indoor Theater, Agana, Guam.

The ceremony was led by Consul General Marciano R. de Borja and Mr. Yasuhiro Kotera, General Manager of Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort.  The keynote address was delivered by 34^th Guam Legislature Senator Dennis Rodriguez, Jr. of the Committee on Health, Tourism, Military Affairs and Senior Citizens.  The event was attended by the members of the 34^th Guam Legislature led by Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz, Government of Guam officials led by Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio, the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General, the officers and members of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) led by Mr. Norman Analista, President, the hotel staff and invited friends from the Guam community.

Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort have been hosting the annual flag raising ceremony and traditional breakfast since 2006.

The following day, June 13,

the Philippine Consulate General in Agana and the Filipino Cultural Center (FCC) led by its President Mr. Emelio Y. Uy co-hosted a concert featuring renowned pianist Dr. Raul M. Sunico at the Guam Museum Indoor Theater, Hagatna, Guam.

Dr. Raul M. Sunico served as the President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines from September 2010 to May 2017.  He is a multi-awarded piano virtuoso and had performed in more than 20 countries representing North America, Europe, Asia, India, Australia and the Middle East, and was recently conferred the Commendatore (Commander) of the Order of the Star of Italy for his achievements in the field of culture and music.

Dr. Sunico played a repertoire of classical European and Filipino music before the more than 100 guests who attended the concert including dignitaries from the Guam government, business, academe, media, members of the Consular Corps, and members of the various Filipino community organizations.

For more information, visit www.aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PCGAgana. END

Philippine Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja (seated 4^th from left), Madam Esperanza de Borja (seated 3^rd from left), their daughter, Agatha de Borja (seated leftmost) with Dr. Raul M. Sunico (seated 4^th from right), guest of honor of the Philippine Consulate General, Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian (seated 3^rd from right), Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy (seated 2^nd from left), and the staff of the Philippine Consulate General, Agana, Guam at the  flag ceremony and traditional Filipino breakfast hosted by Guam Reef and Olive Resort Spa in commemoration of the 119^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12.  (Photo courtesy of Mr. Allan Tangayan)