PH Embassy in Athens Celebrates Philippine Independence
Philippine Embassy in Athens officers and staff, led by Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), a.i., Rosario P. Lemque, during the flag-raising ceremony on 12 June 2019. (Athens PE photo)
ATHENS 12 July 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Athens marked the celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a flag-raising ceremony and a diplomatic reception on 12 June 2019.
Embassy Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), a.i. Rosario P. Lemque led the Embassy’s officers and staff in singing of “Lupang Hinirang”, followed by the recitation of the “Panunumpa sa Watawat”, and the Embassy Prayer. The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a simple Filipino breakfast at the Chancery.
That same evening, around 200 guests from the Greek government, diplomatic community, the Greek maritime/shipping industry, and leaders of the Filipino community attended the Embassy’s diplomatic reception at the Hotel Grande Bretagne.
Philippine School in Greece (PSG) students presented two dance performances, the “La Jota Moncadeña”, a dance influenced by Spain and adapted by the people of Moncada, Tarlac, and the “Pandanggo sa Ilaw”, a dance with lanterns.
Posters made by PSG students during the celebration of National Heritage Month last 21 May 2019 at the PSG school grounds, were also displayed in the hall leading to the ballroom. The posters depicted street games popular in the Philippines before the advent of computers and the internet.
Also included in the art display were two hand paintings made by Filpino hand painter Elito Villaflor Circa also known as Amang Pintor, who visited Athens and performed in one of the Filipino community events, Santacruzan and Pistang Filipino, as part of his European tour. END
CDA Lemque delivers her message during the diplomatic reception commemorating the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Athens PE photo)
Philippine School in Greece (PSG) students perform the La Jota Moncadeña. (Athens PE photo)
A finger painting by Filipino hand pianter Elito Villaflor Circa, aka Amang Pintor, was displayed during the diplomatic reception. (Athens PE photo)
CDALemque (third from right) with (from left): Mrs. Eva Adamhar and Ambassador Ferry Adamhar of the Indonesia, Ambassador Nguyen Manh Cuong and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc of Vietnam, Embassy First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbara G. Robianes, Ambassador Chailert Limsomboon and Mrs. Sansaya Limsomboon of Thailand. (Athens PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.athenspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinGreece/.