PH Embassy Celebrates 120 Years of Philippine Independence with the Largest Gathering Ever of Filipinos in Chile
CDA Marcos A.S. Punsalang and Embassy personnel pose with the Filipino Community in Chile to conclude the celebration (Santiago PE photo)
SANTIAGO 07 June 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Chile celebrated the 120th Independence Day of the Philippines with a historic gathering of almost 400 Filipinos at the Parroquia Italiana in Santiago on 02 June 2018. This turnout represents more than half of the estimated 711 Filipino nationals currently residing in the country.
The Embassy sponsored a cultural and modern dance competition to celebrate the milestone event and showcase Filipino talent to a mixed audience of Filipinos, Chileans and foreign guests. The cultural dance competition featured Filipino folk dances originating from various provinces in the Philippines and displaying the colorful clothes and character of each region. The modern dance competition meanwhile showcased how Filipino talent has evolved and merged with contemporary trends and style throughout the years.
In line with this year’s theme Independence 2018: Change We Fought For, An Offering To An Abundant Future or Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay Sa Masaganang Kinabukasan, Chargé d’Affaires Marcos A.S. Punsalang invited the community to look back and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of Filipinos who selflessly fought for freedom many decades ago. He also encouraged attendees to use the lessons of the past and the values displayed by Filipino heroes—patriotism, estimable work ethics, resilience, and a deeply set determination to uphold one’s own traditions—to once again inspire and guide Filipinos in charting their future toward being a self-reliant and successful republic.
This successful celebration is one of two Philippine national day celebrations to be held in Chile this year. The next celebration will be held on 14 June 2018 together with members of the diplomatic corps, Chilean government officials and other VIPs. END
For more information, visit www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile
CDA Marcos Punsalang, Mrs. Ma. Asuncion Punsalang, Consul Dennis Briones and Mrs. Anna Briones together with Embassy personnel and Filipino community leaders cut the cake to mark the beginning of the Independence Day Celebration (Santiago PE photo)
Embassy officials award the trophy to the Cultural Dance Competition Champion, the Singkil Dancers (Santiago PE photo)