PH Consulate General in Houston Host Independence Day Reception
Consul General in Houston Jerril Santos receiving guests from Consular Corps of Houston, United States Federal and Houston local officials (left); giving his toast after his speech (center) and receiving a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the Office of Congressman Al Green of the 9th Conngressional District of Texas (right) (Ron Echols photo)
HOUSTON 12 July 2019 – In celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Houston hosted reception on 12 June 2019 at Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas.
The reception was well attended by the members of the Consular Corps of Houston, United States federal, state and local officials, members of the Filipino-American community and members of the business community.
Consul General to Houston Jerril Santos received congratulatory messages from the Office of Governor Greg Abbott of Texas and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the office of U.S. Representative Al Green of the 9th Congressional District of Texas.
In his speech, Consul General Santos highlighted the courage, sacrifices, and heroism of Filipinos as the core of the celebration, saying that “we remember our heroes who fought for our independence which we continue to enjoy today.”
He also expressed thanks for the presence of U.S. officials and the continued support and warm welcome from his colleagues from the Consular Corps of Houston, being a newcomer in Houston.
With the emerald green golf course as the backdrop on a cool Houston summer evening, guests were serenaded by Houston-based Filipino pop singer Sheryn Regis, dubbed as the Crystal Voice of Asia when she won 2nd in the Voice of Asia competition in Kazakhstan, and “Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical” awardee at the 2018 BroadwayWorld.com Houston Theater Awards and Houston-based musical theater actor and singer Vincent Evangelista.
Earlier in the morning, Consul General Santos led the flag ceremony held at the Consulate General's multi-purpose hall which was attended by leaders and members of various Filipino American organizations in Texas. Both the Independence Messages of President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. were read during the ceremony.
A traditional Filipino breakfast of pandesal, fried rice, daing na bangus and bistek was offered after the program. END
The Filipino community in Houston sings the Philippine National Anthem (Houston PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHouston/.