PH Consulate General in Milan Celebrates Independence Day at Its New Home
Consul General Irene Susan B. Natividad delivers her message during the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence in front of the Consulate at Viale Stelvio 71 on 10 June 2018. (Milan PCG photo)
MILAN 05 July 2018 — The Philippine Consulate General in Milan, Italy led the early observance of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence at its new offices in Viale Stelvio 71 on 10 June 2018.
Officers and personnel of the Consulate General and its attached agencies were joined by more than 200 leaders and members of the Filipino Community in northern Italy for the singing of the “Lupang Hinirang” led by Ms. Michelle Brijuega, followed by the Panunumpa ng Watawat led by Vice Consul Flaureen Dacanay.
Father JP Avila, Chaplain of Lingkod ng Espiritu Santo, Sant’Eusebio, Santissima Trinita Carita at Nativita di Maria Virgine Filipino Catholic Community, and Pastor Benny Alcantara, Jesus is Lord Church, led the ecumenical prayers.
In her welcome remarks, Consul General Irene Susan B. Natividad thanked the Filipino community for their participation in the annual observance. She said that like Philippine heroes, Filipinos today continue their fight for change reflecting the theme of this year’s celebration, “Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan.”
She outlined new measures to be undertaken by the Consulate General in Milan to help ensure more efficient delivery of services, including the early opening of the consulate at 8:30 a.m. starting 01 July 2018 (instead of 9:00 a.m.); pilot opening of the consulate on one Sunday, 15 July and another on 28 October, which will be adjusted based on the response from the public; re-launching of the web site www.milanpcg.dfa.gov.ph, which now features a Filcom Corner that allows Filipino Community organizations to publicize important notices; and the launching of Consulate’s Facebook account.
Consul General Natividad also announced plans for a much bigger Independence Day celebration with more involvement of the Filipino Community in 2019 and at a bigger venue.
The program featured performances by Ms. Brijuega who sang “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo,” and traditional folk dances by performers of the Cebuanos and Friends Association and Filcom Sports and Cultural Society of Milan.
The morning ceremony was followed by a Pinoy salo-salo featuring all-time Filipino culinary favorites. END
For more information, visit www.milanpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ or www.philcongenmilan.net.
Members of the Filipino community join Consul General Irene Susan B. Natividad and the officers and staff of the Consulate General in Milan in a group photo. (Milan PCG photo)