PH Embassy, Filipino Community in Paris Celebrate 120th Year of PH Independence
Members of the Filipino Community in Paris cheer after the flag-raising ceremony during the celebration of the 120th year of the declaration of Philippine independence on 17 June 2018. (Paris PE photo)
PARIS 28 June 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Paris, together with over 200 members of the Filipino Community, celebrated the 120th year of the declaration of Philippine independence at the Embassy grounds on June 17, 2018.
A celebratory mass, led by Monsignor Don Vito Pavilando started the day, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and the reading of the Independence Day Messages of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano to the audience.
During the occasion, Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro welcomed the Filipino Community and acknowledged the leadership of the Comite General des Association des Philippines en France (CGAPF), the umbrella organization of the Filipino Community.
Relaying her most important message, Ambassador Lazaro said, “As we celebrate the occasion of the 120th year of Philippine Independence, let us recall the many milestones we have achieved as a nation. Let us uphold the good values we have as Filipinos. For the Embassy’s part, we reiterate our commitment to supporting you, our fellow Kababayans, as you endeavor to reach your dreams in Paris, your home away from home.”
Ambassador Lazaro also announced the line-up of activities for the Filipino Community that includes the Financial Literacy Seminar for OFWs on 30 June, the Pista sa Paris Program on 1 July, and the free legal assistance program for OFWs called “Itanong kay Attorney” which will be conducted in the last quarter of 2018.
Adding festivity to the occasion was the sharing of Pinoy brunch salo-salo of sinangag, daing na bangus, beef tapa, longganisa, red egg with tomatoes, puto and kutsinta, together with mainit na kape of the Filipino Community and the Philippine Embassy group. END
Philippine Embassy officers and personnel share a light moment with the Filipino community during the celebration of the 120th Year of Philippine Independence. (Paris PE photo)
The air is festive in the Philippine Embassy’s conference room, as the Filipino Community and Embassy personnel shared Pinoy food for brunch, as well as pleasant conversations, during the celebration of the 120th year of Philippine independence. (Paris PE photo)
For more information, visit www.parispe.dfa.gov.ph or http://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance/ or https://twitter.com/PHinFrance.