PHL Embassy in Beirut Joins Mayflower Festivities
Middle photo: The Embassy Team headed by Vice Consul Grace Perpetua (2nd from left) joins the festivities of May Flower at St. Joseph Church, Tabaris Achrafieh. Bottom left photo: Embassy personnel joins the May Flower Festival Parade. Bottom right photo: Rev. Fr. Martin Mcdermott, SJ gives a short and meaningful remarks to all festival attendants after the holy Catholic mass and parade.
22 June 2017 BEIRUT — The Philippine Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon joined the Mayflower Festivities in Beirut on May 28 by sending representatives and participants to various parishes in Beirut.
Mayflower Festivities, or Santacruzan, is a long-standing tradition upheld by the Catholic Churches in Beirut in partnership with the migrant communities in Lebanon. It is traditionally celebrated with a community rosary, a holy mass, a procession of Mother Mary's statue, and a parade.
Embassy representatives were present to witness and participate in the festivities in these churches, as well as to invite the Filipino community to join the upcoming Cultural Festival to celebrate the 119th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
In St. Joseph’s Church, Tabaris, Achrafieh, Cultural Officer Angelita Sucgang, Information Officer Loremie Bautista, and Legal Officer Junaid Ali participated in the pageantry and parade in the church grounds in their roles as queens and consorts of Santacruzan characters, Ms. Sucgang as Reyna de las Virgines and Ms. Bautista as Reyna Emperatiz escorted by Mr. Ali.
The Embassy, as well as various Filipino community groups, put up tents on the church grounds and offered Filipino food and drinks to guests.
Meanwhile, Protocol Officer Joel Ramirez and Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Julie Pasco represented the Embassy in the Santacruzan festivities in the Sassine Church. Third Secretary and Vice Consul Grace Perpetua delivered the Embassy's message to the St. Francis Church in Hamra.
The Embassy acknowledges the efforts made by the Filipino community in keeping alive our Filipino traditions, and supports the churches in their ministry to all migrants.
For more information, visit www.beirutpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/BeirutPE/?. END