PH Consulate General Holds PH Independence Day Vin D’ Honneur at Hawaii Landmark

Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno gives his Independence Day message; Director Luis Salaveria of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), provides his message for the occasion. (Honolulu PCG photo)

HONOLULU 10 July 2018 — Philippine Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno, and Madame Araceli C. Jimeno hosted his first Philippine Independence Day Vin d’ Honneur for some 150 guests, to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence at the Washington Place—the official residence of the Governor of Hawaii and a National Historic Landmark—on 12 June 2018.

The reception was graced by the presence of esteemed guests comprising of United States and Hawaii government officials and policymakers, high-ranking officers of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its other command units led by its Commander Admiral Philip Davidson, members of the Consular Corps of Hawaii, the Consulate's partners from the academe, think tanks, business and media sectors, and leaders of the Filipino American Community.

In his Independence Day message, Consul General Jimeno mentioned that Filipinos are reminded every June 12th “of the brave men and women of the Philippines who valiantly fought for our liberty engaged in a revolution that has marked our race’s strength and determination.”

The Consul General also looked back on the past year, which was full of challenges, as well as many achievements that were made through the determined efforts of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to improve the lives of the Filipinos and bring about real change.

Consul General Jimeno and Mr. Luis Salaveria, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, offered a toast to Philippines-U.S. enduring and multi-faceted relations and to the prosperity of its peoples.  They also led the ceremonial cutting of the Independence Day cake, where they were joined by Madame Jimeno and Admiral Davidson.

Governor David Ige also attended the reception, and extended his congratulations to the Hawaii Consulate General for the celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

The guests were entertained by a musical prelude by the Royal Hawaiian Band and musical performance by Filipino American singing star and Broadway performer Kristian Lei, accompanied by businessman and musician, Mr. Pierre Grill on piano.

Catering company Memoirs prepared a sumptuous Filipino spread of well-loved Filipino dishes such as kare-kare, pancit, chicken and pork adobo, sweet and sour butterfish, ensalada, and lumpia.

Filipino products also took center stage at the Vin d' Honneur. The guests enjoyed San Miguel Beer and Red Horse Beer, and Memoirs prepared two special Independence Day cocktails—the "Mabuhay" and "Kalayaan" cocktails using Don Papa seven-year aged rum.

Filipino snacks by Oishi, dried mangoes by Profood International, pili nuts from Rains Handicrafts, and mamons from Red Ribbon Bakeshop were given away as tokens of appreciation for the guests.

To mark the occasion and to promote the Philippines as a top tourist destination, Philippine Airlines also raffled off one roundtrip premium economy ticket to the Philippines. END

For more information, visit  www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineshonolulu.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/

Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno and Director Luis Salaveria offer a toast to Philippines-U.S. relations. (Honolulu PCG photo)

Admiral Davidson cuts a slice of the Independence Day cake. Looking on are Director Salaveria, Consul General Jimeno and Madame Araceli C. Jimeno. (Honolulu PCG photo)

Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno and Madame Araceli C. Jimeno with the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General. (Honolulu PCG photo)