In Belgium, PH Independence Day Celebrated Where Rizal Published ‘El Fili’
Miss Belgium 2018 Winner and Filipino-Belgian Angeline Flor Pua and Ms. Trees Van Hove, Alderman for Civil Affairs, Education, Welfare, Public Health and Development Cooperation of the City of Deinz, join the Philippine Independence Day parade. (Brussels PE photo)
BRUSSELS 25 June 2018 — Filipino communities in Belgium have organized separate celebrations for the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, with Ambassador to Belgium Eduardo José A. de Vega and officials of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels attending all events.
The Independence Day celebration for Brussels, which was held on 10 June in Deinze, included a Holy Mass, Carillon playing of the Lupang Hinirang, a parade, and a cultural show featuring folk dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Deinze is a city in Flanders, the Flemish-speaking region in Belgium.
Prior to the main events, Ambassador de Vega called on Deinze Mayor Jan Vermeulen at the City Hall, together with officers of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. It is hoped that Deinze would have a sister-city relation with another Philippine city, Ambassador De Vega said, as he thanked the mayor for his hospitality. In his welcome speech, the Mayor thanked the Filipino community for holding the event in his city.
Also in Flanders, in the historic city of Ghent, the Ambassador assured Filipinos that the welfare of overseas Filipinos is of paramount consideration in crafting and implementing an independent foreign policy during President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.
Ghent has a special historical significance with the Philippines because Dr. Jose Rizal published his second novel “El Filibusterismo” in the city in 1891.
“As we celebrate this important event of our country and people's history, we at the DFA shall support avenues that enhance people-to-people relations. You deserve commendation for truly acting as the ‘ambassadors’ of your country abroad, enhancing our relations with host people and country - which is home to the capital of Europe and host to several EU institutions and international organizations. With you as the Philippines’ staunch defenders, let us all continue to defend our motherland from negative perceptions as we strive to satisfy the demands of our work environment,” the Ambassador told the audience during a cultural program in a park in Ghent on 09 June. END
The Knights of Rizal, Embassy officials, and cultural performers gather at the Sint Poppolous Square in Deinze to sing the Philippine National Anthem with the music of the Carillon of the Church of our Lady Mother of God. (Brussels PE photo)
Mayor Jan Vermeulen (9th from left) and other officials of the city of Deinze welcomed Ambassador Eduardo José A. de Vega (8th from left), Embassy officials and Officers of the Order of the Knights of Rizal- Belgium at the city hall during the Philippine Independence Day celebration of the Filipino community on 10 January 2018. (Brussels PE photo)
The Knights of Rizal- Belgium leading the 120th Philippine Independence Day Parade from the Sintm Poppolous Square in Deinze on 10 June 2018 after the Holy Mass. (Brussels PE photo)
For more information, visit www.brusselspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBelgium