PH Embassy in Tehran, FilCom Celebrate 124th Philippine Independence Day
Philippine Chargé d’affaires to Iran Roberto G. Manalo delivers remarks before the Filipino Community in Iran during celebration of the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Embassy’s courtyard on 17 June 2022. The event was simultaneously broadcasted live via Facebook to Filipino community groups in all three countries under the Embassy’s jurisdiction: Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. (Tehran PE photo)
TEHRAN 17 June 2022 — Considered as the first in-person gathering of Filipinos in Iran since the pandemic’s onset more than two years ago, the 124th Philippine Independence Day celebration, co-organized by the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community, brought together Filipinos and Filipino-Iranians on 17 June 2022 at the Embassy’s courtyard in the midst of the easing COVID-19 restrictions in Tehran.
Filipinos and Filipino-Iranians, observing strict health safety protocols, attended the festive celebration, bearing the theme “Kalayaan 2022: Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas (Rising Towards the Challenge of a New Beginning).”
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Chargé d’affaires to Tehran Roberto G. Manalo stated, “This celebration comes very timely as our country embarks soon under a new set of national leaders following the success of our democratic electoral process. This celebration is also an opportunity para sa ating mga kababayan, especially our second generation Filipino-Iranians, to demonstrate patriotism, to look back at the road that led us to the freedom, sovereignty, and democracy that our country enjoys today. Together as one, we rededicate our lives to the pursuit of the hopes and aspirations for the preservation of the sovereignty of our country and people. A first for the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, this celebration brings together live and virtually our Filipino compatriots in three countries: Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, in one event, a clear sign of unity among Filipinos in this part of the world.”
Filipino Community members from organizations Filipino-Irano Community Association (FICA), Filipino Ladies Group (FLG), Pinay-Irano Family Community (PIFC), as well as a number of Filipinos who are not affiliated with said group als joined the celebration in-person, which showcased Filipino dances, music, and food.
Showcasing a unique blend of Iranian and Filipino musical talents, a musical concert from an Iranian Quartet, Mus Art Ensemble, performed renditions of the original Filipino songs “Manila” by The Hotdog, “Araw, Gabi” by Ryan Cayabyab, “Akin Ka Na Lang” by Itchyworms, and “Mapa” by SB19, to the delight of the participants.
The onsite celebration was also broadcasted live on the Embassy’s Facebook page, simultaneously bringing the celebration to the rest of the Filipinos in provinces outside of Tehran, as well as to the Embassy’s two other jurisdictions: Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The onsite celebration is a part of the month-long series of events that the Philippine Embassy prepared on the occasion of the 124th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. END
Iranian Quartet Mus Art Ensemble (top left), Members of the Pinay-Irano Family Community (top right,) Ms. Rowena Laurente from the Filipino-Irano Community Association (FICA) (lower left) and Members of FICA kept the Filipino Community entertained during the celebration. (Tehran PE photo)
Chargé d’affaires Roberto G. Manalo (balcony, middle) together with the Filipino Community in Iran celebrating in-person the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence. (Tehran PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.tehranpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinIran/ or https://www.instagram.com/phliniran/.