PHL Embassy in Belgium Holds Back-to-Back Celebrations of the 19th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Alan L. Deniega delivers welcome remarks during the Philippine Independence Day celebration with the Filipino community organizations leaders on June 10 at the Embassy garden.
28 June 2017 BRUSSELS — The Philippine Embassy in Belgium celebrated the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 10 with the Filipino community organizations leaders and on June 12 with the diplomatic corps, EU and local government officials, and other contacts. Both events were held in the Philippine Embassy premises.
During the celebration with the Filipino community, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Alan L. Deniega emphasized the two meanings of “independence” in Filipino – kalayaan and kasarinlan. He also reminded everyone of the duty of the Filipinos abroad to defend the image of the Philippines.
First Secretary and Consul Maria Anna Lilia de Vera read the National Day message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano. The program also included an ecumenical prayer led by leaders of various religious groups who offered prayers for the unity and peace in the Philippines. Ms. Maricris Joaquin, an alumna of UP Singing Ambassadors, serenaded the crowd with her own rendition of Filipino classic songs while a group of Filipino youth showed their talents by performing a dance evolution from folk dances to hip-hop.
Among the distinguished guests at the diplomatic reception were Mme. Françoise Gustin, Chief of Protocol of the Belgian Foreign Ministry, H.E. Michel Goffin, incoming Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, and Mr. Guy Ledoux of the European External Action Office of the European Commission.
The Loboc Children’s Choir, who were on their 3rd European Concert Tour, performed a mini-concert at the diplomatic reception.
For more information, visit www.brusselspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBelgium/ END
The Loboc Children’s Choir held a mini-concert during the diplomatic reception on June 12 at the Philippine Embassy’s Bulwagan ng mga Pangulo.