PH Embassy in Athens Commemorates 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of PH Independence
In his message, Ambassador Palec recalled the challenges brought about by the pandemic and recounted the measures undertaken by the Philippines to address the severe impact of COVID-19. He highlighted the current progress of recovery, which is expected to continue under a new administration duly elected during the May 2022 national and local elections. (Athens PE photo)
ATHENS, 13 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Athens, led by Philippine Ambassador to Greece Giovanni E. Palec commemorated the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence by hosting successive events – a diplomatic reception on 10 June 2022 and a flag-raising ceremony and breakfast with the Filipino community in Athens on 12 June 2022. This is the first time the Philippine Embassy was able to hold face-to-face celebrations since 2019 to mark the momentous occasion together with friends and colleagues from the Greek government, the diplomatic and consular corps, businesses, and shipping companies as well as the Filipino community in Greece.
In his Independence Day message, Ambassador Palec highlighted the current progress of recovery, which is expected to continue under a new administration that was duly elected in May in fair, transparent and orderly elections. He also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worldwide and especially those in Greece. The Ambassador also recognized the support and friendship of the Hellenic Republic over the past 72 years, as the two countries continue to strengthen their relations, particularly in the areas of maritime and shipping, economy and technology, tourism, culture and education.
Filipino culture and talent were showcased at the diplomatic reception on 10 June 2022. The various styles of Filipiniana such as the barong tagalog, baro’t saya, and Maria Clara gowns which are made from unique fabrics woven from piña (pineapple), abaca and Inabel were displayed. Guests were also invited to try the fine-tasting Philippine rum, “Don Papa” along with the “lechon”.
The guests were treated to performances of the Pandanggo sa Ilaw (light dance) and the Subli (worship dance). They were serenaded by Mr. Anthony Kier Carbonel, a finalist in X-Factor Greece 2019, with Filipino songs Bagani and Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko, as well as the Greek song An Thimithis To Oneiro Mou (If You Remember My Dream).
The flag-raising ceremony and community breakfast took place in the morning of 12 June at the Philippine Ambassador’s Residence. The event was streamed live on the official Facebook page of the Embassy that allowed Filipinos in other parts of Greece, Cyprus and North Macedonia to virtually join the celebration.
A feast of Filipino and other Asian dishes highlighted both festivities, including the lechon (roast pork) during the diplomatic reception, and popular Filipino breakfast dishes such as pandesal (sweet bread roll), puto (rice cake), dinuguan (savory pork stew), sinangag (garlic fried rice), danggit (dried fish), tapa (cured beef), and longganisa (garlic pork sausage) during the flag-raising ceremony. END
The Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece, led by Philippine Ambassador to Greece Giovanni E. Palec hosted the diplomatic reception on 10 June 2022 at Divani Caravel Hotel Athens to commemorate the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Athens PE photo)
The diplomatic reception on 10 June 2022 is the first time the Philippine Embassy was able to hold face-to-face celebrations to mark the Philippine Independence Day since 2019. (Athens PE photo)
Performers from the Philippine School in Greece (PSG) entertained guests with traditional Filipino dances including Pandanggo sa Ilaw (light dance) and the Subli (worship dance). (Athens PE photo)
Mr. Anthony Kier Carbonel, one half of the Filipino duo “AC2”, serenaded guests with his version of Filipino songs Bagani and Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko, as well as the Greek song An Thimithis To Oneiro Mou (If You Remember My Dream), while PSG students and teachers sang traditional Filipino folk songs. (Athens PE photos)
Various styles of the Filipiniana were also exhibited at the venue of the diplomatic reception as a showcase of the different aspects of Filipino culture reflected by the country’s traditional attire. (Athens PE photos)
One of the highlights of the celebration is the traditional Filipino dish, lechon (roast pork), which is a favorite Filipino delicacy. (Athens PE photo)
In the morning of 12 June 2022, the Philippine flag was raised to commemorate the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Athens PE photo)
Leaders of the Filipino Community Organizations in Athens sang the National Anthem at the flag-raising ceremony, which was also streamed online through the Embassy’s official Facebook page. (Athens PE photo)
In keeping with this year’s theme, Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec in his Independence Day message called for the Filipinos in Greece, Cyprus and North Macedonia to rise to the challenge of a new beginning, following the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Athens PE photo)
The Philippine Embassy, together with the Filipino Community in Greece, Cyprus and North Macedonia, celebrate the 124th Philippine Independence Day with the view to collectively strive to overcome new challenges as one Filipino community. (Athens PE photo)
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades (third from the left) is the Guest of Honor during the commemoration of the 124thAnniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in Limassol, Cyprus on 19 June 2022. The event was spearheaded by Ms. Charmagne Garcia-Laconico, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Larnaca, with the participation of the Filipino community organizations in Cyprus held at the Panos Solomonides Cultural Center. The Philippine Embassy was represented by First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbara G. Robianes (fourth from the left). Also in the photo are (from left): Mr. Nick Laconico, Philippine Honorary Consul in Larnaca Ms. Charmagne Garcia-Laconico, Ms. Isabel Bucang-Leo (President of Filipino Community organization, BIBAK Limassol, and member of the household of President Anastasiades), and Limassol Vice Mayor Mr. Neophytos Charalambides. (Athens PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.athenspe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinGreece/.