PH Consulate General in Agana Hosts Reception to Celebrate 121st Philippine Independence Day
Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja (right) and Guam Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio (left) lead the ceremonial toast during the Vin d’Honneur and reception in commemoration of the 121st anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
AGANA 18 June 2019 — Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja hosted the Vin d’Honneur and reception of the Philippine Consulate General in Agana in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2019 at the Micronesia Room of Hilton Guam Resort and Spa in Tumon, Guam.
Close to 200 guests attended the Vin d’Honneur reception, which included dignitaries from the Guam government, First Gentleman Jeffrey Cook, 35th Guam Legislature Senators Amanda Shelton and Joe S. San Agustin, former Senator and currently Public Auditor Benjamin Cruz, Justice F. Phillip Carbullido, Judge Maria Teresa Cenzon, Guam National Guard Adjutant General Esther Aguigui, members of the Consular Corps, officers and members of the various Filipino community organizations led by Filipino Community of Guam president James Robinson, leaders of the business community, academe, media, and visiting guests from the Philippines, a 15-member delegation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by Brigadier General Tirso Dolina, and Plantation Bay Resort in Cebu General Manager Efren Belarmino and chefs.
The program started with the singing of the Philippine and United States national anthems and the Guam Hymn led by Ms. Agatha de Borja, daughter of Consul General de Borja. It was followed by the reading of the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy.
The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Kalayaan 2019: Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan” (“Independence 2019: Courage of the Nation, Compassion for the People”).
Consul General de Borja and Guam Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio led the ceremonial toast to celebrate the close friendship and strong ties between the Philippines, the United States and the island of Guam.
“We are here to toast and to express our best wishes for the continued success and good health of the leaders of Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio – and for the continued prosperity and progress of Guam and its people,” said Consul General de Borja.
In his response, Acting Governor Tenorio said, “On behalf of the people of Guam, in honor of your great nation, the nation of the Philippines, we raise a glass to the thousands of Filipinos, generations of men and women and their families who called Guam their home and continue to hold tight to their motherland and rich Filipino culture, our ties to your country have helped Guam prosper to what it is today.”
After the ceremonial toasts, the guests were serenaded by Ms. De Borja’s rendition of “Isang Lahi”, a song popularized by Filipino artist Regine Velasquez. Fr. Jeffrey San Nicolas, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Agaña, led the invocation
In the morning, the Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the Guam Reef Hotel, held the 13th annual flag raising ceremony hosted by the hotel at its front loop area, followed by a traditional Filipino breakfast prepared by the Plantation Bay Resort chefs.
The ceremony was led by Consul General De Borja and Guam Reef Hotel General Manager Yasuhiro Kotera,. It was also attended by Guam officials led by Acting Governor Tenorio, the visiting AFP delegation, Consulate General officers and staff, and the officers of the various Filipino community organizations on Guam. END
Ms. Agatha de Borja (onstage), Consul General Marciano R. de Borja’s youngest daughter, leads the singing of the Philippine, U.S. and Guam national anthems, 12 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
Consul General and Madam Marciano R. de Borja (seated 4th and 5th from left), daughters Atty. Angel de Borja (seated leftmost) and Agatha de Borja (seated rightmost) with the Philippine Consulate General officers Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy (seated 3rd from left) & wife Mrs. Leah Hamoy (seated 2nd from left), and Vice Consul Alex O. Vallespin (seated 3rd from right) & wife Mrs. Glenda Vallespin (seated 2nd from right) with the Philippine Consulate General staff &their spouses. (Agana PCG photo)
Consul General and Madam Marciano R. de Borja (seated 4th and 5th from left) with the officers and board of trustees of the Filipino Community of Guam led by Mr. James Robinson (standing 4th from left). (Agana PCG photo)
Consulate General officers and staff led by Consul General Marciano R. de Borja, Government of Guam officials led by Acting Governor Joshua F. Tenorio, Senators of the 35th Guam Legislature, the Guam National Guard, the visiting delegates from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led by Brigadier General Tirso Dolina , the officers of the various Filipino community organizations on Guam, the hotel staff and invited friends from the Guam community at the flag-raising ceremony hosted by Guam Reef Hotel, 12 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippinesguam.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAgana/.