PH Embassy Celebrates Independence Day with Filipino Community in Paris
PARIS, 17 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Paris celebrated the 124th Anniversary of Philippine Independence at the Embassy on 12 June 2022. Over 100 members of various Filipino community associations joined the festivities, the first in-person celebration after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
The celebration began with a mass in Filipino officiated by Fr. Jose Victor Lobrigo at 8:45am. This was promptly followed by the flag raising ceremony and viewing of the speeches from the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr.
Philippine Ambassador to France Junever M. Mahilum-West, in her speech in Filipino, reminded the community of the love for freedom for which Philippine heroes offered the ultimate sacrifice. The Ambassador also invited the community to participate in upcoming events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France. The Ambassador also enjoined the community: “ipakilala at ipagmalaki ang ating bansa, ang ating kultura at ang kakayahan ng mga Pilipino dito sa Pransya (introduce and take pride in our country, our culture and the talent and ability of Filipinos here in France).” After the formal program, guests were treated to a Filipino breakfast. END
Left photo: Philippine Ambassador to France Junever M. Mahilum-West during her speech. Right photo: A mass in Filipino officiated by Fr. Jose Victor Lobrigo. (Paris PE photos)
Pre-recorded speeches of the Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. were played during the celebration. (Paris PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.parispe.dfa.gov.ph, http://www.facebook.com/PHinFrance, https://twitter.com/PHinFrance, or https://www.instagram.com/phinfrance/.