PH Ambassador Joins PH Independence Day celebration of Filipino Community in Tanzania
Ambassador to Kenya Alex G. Chua deliver his Independence Day message. (Nairobi PE photo)
DAR ES SALAAM 08 July 2019 — Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Alex G. Chua joined the Filipino community in Tanzania as they celebrated the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 16 June 2019 at the Azura Health and Fitness in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
In his Independence Day Message, Ambassador Chua underscored the importance of “Malasakit sa Mamamayan (concern for citizens),” which is the foundation of Filipino communities abroad, especially in countries where the Filipino community is small.
“Kung hindi dahil sa ating tapang at pangarap na mabigyan ng maayos na kinabukasan ang ating mga minamahal sa buhay, hindi siguro tayo narito sa ibang bansa. Kaya nga kailangan din natin magtulungan, magdamayan at magbigay ng malasakit sa ating kapwa, lalong-lalo na sa ating kapwa Pilipino upang mas madali natin malampasan ang mga pagsubok na hinaharap natin dito sa ibang bansa.” he said. “Nagagalak ako na dito sa Tanzania, ang mga Pilipino ay nagtutulungan at nagbabayanihan na tulad ng isang barangay (If it is not for our courage and dreams to give our loved ones a good future, we may not be here in other countries. That's why we also need to work together, help each other, show concern to our neighbors, especially to our fellow Filipinos so that we can easily overcome the challenges we face here abroad. I'm really happy here in Tanzania, Filipinos work together and help each other like a barangay)” he added.
Almost 100 Filipinos with their families and friends attended the event, while who were unable to attend watched via live web-cast.
The organizers, Emeritus Genevieve Mangubat Coppard and Rachel Buenaventura partnered with Qatar Airways and the various companies employing Filipinos to ensure that there are exciting raffle prizes. The grand prize is a return ticket to Manila courtesy of Qatar Airways.
Alfredo Dimatera, who is recognized as the Father of the Filipino Community in Tanzania for organizing the community in the country roughly 30 years ago, gave the closing remarks.
The almost 200 Filipinos in Tanzania are composed of company executives, managers, nurses, IT specialists, shopkeepers, wellness professionals and the religious. At its peak, there were around 500 Filipinos in Tanzania. Filipinos said the decrease in the number of Filipinos could be attributed to the ease of movement of people in East Africa, as well as the more stringent issuance of work permit for foreigners in Tanzania.
The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, under the leadership of Ambassador Chua, has jurisdiction over Tanzania and 11 other countries in East Africa: Kenya, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
Ambassador Chua was accompanied by his wife, Madame Mari Marla Chua and Cultural Officer Hossana P. Dela Cruz. END
Ambassador Chua and Madame Marie Marla Chua (center seated) with the Filipino communiy in Tanzania. (Nairobi PE photo)
Alfredo Dimatera delivering his closing remarks. (Nairobi PE photo)
For more information, visit https://ww.nairobipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKenya/