PH Embassy in Pretoria Celebrates 124th PH Independence Day
Group photo of Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Noralyn Jubaira Baja (6th from left) with Embassy officials and staff before the event. (Pretoria PE photo)
PRETORIA 14 June 2022 — The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria hosted an event to commemorate the 124th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Safari Restaurant and Conference Centre in Pretoria on 12 June 2022.
The event turned into an afternoon of camaraderie, fellowship and fun for participating Filipinos in the Southern African region, including their accompanying African spouses and friends. It was made more special as it provided an opportunity for Filipinos to once again gather face-to-face after more than two years.
After the flag ceremony, the Independence Day messages of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. were also shown during the event.
Expounding on the theme of this year’s Independence Day celebration, which is Kalayaan 2022: Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas” (Rise Towards the Challenge of a New Beginning), Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja, in her inaugural public address to the Filipino community, pointed out the two challenges that the country needs to immediately address: 1.) post-pandemic recovery of the Philippine economy; and the 2.) transition to a new administration to be led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. As such, she called on all Filipinos in the region to engage deeper in nation-building and continue spreading the positive image of Filipinos globally.
She also underscored how the Embassy takes seriously its mandate of protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos. “The doors of the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria will always be open to the Filipinos in the Southern African region. It is your home away from home,” she said.
To bring more fun to the event, the Embassy conducted an interactive quiz show which covered trivia questions on Philippine culture and the arts, geography, history and popular culture. In celebration of the Philippine National Flag Days from 28 May to 12 June 2022 and the forthcoming 161st birth anniversary of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal on 19 June 2022, some of the prepared questions pertained to the history of the Philippine flag, and the life, works and writings of Rizal.
In keeping with the Filipino’s sense of fun and generous spirit, the Embassy gave away raffle prizes to the delight of the attendees.
The event was simultaneously livestreamed on the Embassy’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSouthAfrica) to allow Filipinos who were unable to travel to Pretoria to virtually participate in the celebration. END
Left photo: Ambassador Baja introduces the Embassy team during her remarks. Right photo: Ambassador Baja talks with Rev. Sr. Marichu Gacayan, a Filipino missionary nun based in South Africa. (Pretoria PE photo)
Clockwise From Top: 1.) Group photo with Filipino attendees and their African spouses and friends; 2.) Guests singing Pilipinas Kong Mahal; 3.) First Secretary and Consul Maurice Tiempo announces the winners for the interactive quiz show; and 4.) Guests listen to Ambassador Baja as she delivers her remarks. (Pretoria PE photo)
Left photo: Filipinos socialize with each other; Right photo: A lucky Filipina poses with Finance Officer Aniline Punzalan (left) and Cultural Officer Vivian Barrera (right) after receiving her raffle prize while Protocol Officer and Consular Assistant Dennis Punzalan looks on. (Pretoria PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph or https://facebook.com/PHLinSouthAfrica/