PHL Embassy in Ankara Celebrates the 119th Anniversary of Philippine Independence
A group leads the community in singing and dancing the popular Filipino song “Pinoy Ako” by Orange and Lemons. (Photo courtesy of Haznor Mangondaya)
19 June 2017 ANKARA — The Philippine Embassy in Ankara, together with the various Filipino community organizations in Turkey, celebrated the 119th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in the Meryem Ana Catholic Church and grounds in Ankara on June 11 under the theme Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-samang Balikatin with the objective of raising the profile of the Filipino community and promoting Philippine culture and traditions through an array of food and performances.
The event brought together 400 people from the various Filipino communities in Turkey, local friends and employers and parishioners of the Meryem Ana Church community through the celebration of a commemorative Catholic Mass which featured traditional Filipino songs, offerings and prayers; a showcase of Philippine cuisine through a gastronomic fiesta of boneless chicken adobo, lumpianita and lumpiang gulay, enseladang talong, puto, empanada, biko, maja blanca, palabok, pinakbet, suman, spring roll, pancit, fried fish, kwek-kwek and puto kutsinta; and a cultural program that introduced the spectators to the dances of the three main island groups of the Philippines with performances of Mamang Sorbetero, Santacruzan, Subli, Paypay de Manila, Itik-Itik, Dayang-Dayang, Salakot, Magtanim ay Di Biro, Ligawan, Paru-Parong Bukid, Kapmalo-Malong and Tinikling.
To generate greater interest in Philippine culture among the crowd, the celebrations also included traditional Filipino folk games such as Pabilitin, Sarimanok and Namalengke si Maria (Maria went to the market). A good number of local Turkish nationals and foreign parishioners from the audience gamely participated with eagerness.
For more information, visit www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PhilembAnkara. END