PH Consulate General in Macau Celebrates 120th Anniversary of PH Independence

Officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Macau SAR pose for a family photo. (Macau PCG photo)

MACAU 03 JULY 2018 — Philippine Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera in Macau SAR held a diplomatic reception in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, at Clube Militar de Macau on 12 June 2018.

The program began with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

Consul General Deapera underscored in her message that independence is not only composed of a single moment, but both a culmination of the preceding periods of struggle and an impetus in ensuring that future generations enjoy the fruits of hard-earned freedom. She also cited the Filipino people's resilience, mirrored in the economy's impressive growth rate in 2017.

The Consul General identified the many areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Macau and people-to-people exchanges with the visit of close to a million tourists from China.

The Guest of Honor, Secretary for Administration and Justice Honourable Sonia Chan Hoi Fan- underlined the warmer relations between the Philippines and China, as well as the contributions of the Filipino Community in Macau specifically the bravery shown by Loreto Mijares Jr., who rescued Macau citizens during the deadly storm surge caused by Typhoon Hato in August 2017. 

Consul General Deapera also mentioned the delegation to Manila that she headed in March this year, which met with the Department of Justice to discuss matters concerning legal cooperation.

Secretary Chan expressed her hope that Philippine-Macau ties continue to strengthen through the years and acknowledged the Philippines' economic growth and development under the current administration.

The Macau-Philippines Dance Troupe, a group of overseas Filipino workers employed in diverse professions in Macau, presented their own rendition of "Cariñosa" with a mix of modern Filipino dance music of "Kanta Pilipinas" after the speeches.

A bar flairing exhibition rendered by Ryan Golo, an OFW currently employed in Wynn Palace Hotel, also awed the guests after the cultural performances.  Paradise Mango Rum Liqueur of Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc. was used in the mixing of drinks during the exhibition.

One of the highlights of the event was a raffle prize of one business class return airline ticket to Manila with the inclusion of domestic flight ticket of any choice of destination in the Philippines, drawn by Philippine Airlines representative Reynelyn Moite.

The event was well attended by members of the diplomatic corps in Hong Kong and Macau, foreign dignitaries, government officials, and businessmen, among others.

Filipino delicacies such as palitaw, biko, sapin-sapin, and kutsinta were also served to the gustatory delight of the guests.  They also got the chance to enjoy the taste of San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen and mango rhum mixed with cherry limeade for cocktail drinks.

The Philippine Department of Tourism provided brochures, maps, eco bags, and dried mangoes which were utilized as give-aways to attendees. END

For more information, visit www.macaupcg.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMacau/

Consul General Lilybeth R. Deapera, together with Guest of Honor Ms. Sonia Chan Hoi Fan, Secretary for Administration and Justice, during the toasting ceremony (Macau PCG photo)

Macau-Philippines Dance Troupe rendition of "Cariñosa" (Macau PCG photo)