PH Embassy in Phnom Penh Joins Filipino Nation in Celebrating 125 Years of Philippine Independence
Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Maria Amelita C. Aquino giving her remarks to members of the Filipino Community during the flag honoring ceremony. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
PHNOM PENH 19 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh celebrated the 125th Declaration of Philippine Independence through a flag honoring ceremony held on 11 June 2023 and a diplomatic reception on 13 June 2023.
The event on the 11th of June included a flag-raising ceremony followed by a Holy Mass at the Chancery of the Philippine Embassy attended by members of the Filipino Community along with Embassy personnel.
Ambassador Maria Amelita C. Aquino thanked the members of the Filipino community for gracing the occasion and for their hard work, especially with the challenges of being away from home. After her remarks, the messages of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. were read.
Participants joined the Embassy personnel in a simple Filipino breakfast after the ceremony.
On 13 June, Ambassador Aquino hosted a diplomatic reception at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, wherein around 240 guests from the diplomatic corps, the Cambodian government, the business community, non-governmental organizations and other sectors, as well as from the Filipino community in Cambodia enjoyed a selection of Filipino dishes such as pancit (stir-fried noodles), lumpiang shanghai (chicken and shrimp spring rolls), and halo-halo (Filipino shaved ice dessert).
In her remarks, Ambassador Aquino cited the theme of the celebration, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” or “Freedom, Future, History.” She noted the Filipino forefathers’ vision of a strong and progressive Philippines, highlighting the progress in the reopening of major economic sectors and GDP growth of 7.6% in 2022 and 6.4% in the first quarter of 2023. She also mentioned that “Our economic officials see the better-than-expected first quarter performance of our economy as indication of returning to our high growth trajectory despite the challenges and headwinds we faced.”
Ambassador Aquino also highlighted the continuing good relations between the Philippines and Cambodia, citing the recent bilateral and regional engagements between the two countries, including people-to-people ties most especially during the recently concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games hosted by Cambodia.
The Guest of Honor, His Excellency Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, also praised the strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and Cambodia evident in various sectors such as in defense and people-to-people exchanges, as well as congratulating the Philippines’ 125th Independence Day celebration. His Excellency Prak Sokhonn was accompanied by his spouse, Her Excellency Kheng Samvada, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The reception also featured a musical performance of Filipino folk music played on the bandurria and guitar by Filipino teachers Ms. Myra Bangad and Mr. Antonio Elchico.
Philippine Airlines, through its country manager Mr. Henry Roque, raffled off two (2) roundtrip flight tickets (Phnom Penh - Manila - Phnom Penh) to one lucky winner among the invited guests as part of efforts to promote Philippine tourism in Cambodia.
Ambassador Aquino also attended as Guest of Honor an event organized by the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI) on 11 June at Nagaworld Hotel, in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. She delivered her remarks recognizing the role of overseas Filipinos, particularly in Cambodia, in nation-building and in uplifting the image of the Philippines in the country. She also congratulated the members of the Filipino community who were recipients of the SAMAPI Pinoy Achievers Award 2023 for their outstanding contributions and achievements.
As part of the month-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence, the Consular Section of the Embassy is also set to offer its services in Sihanoukville on 17-18 June (Saturday and Sunday) and in Phnom Penh on 18 June (Sunday), a Khmer Intermediate Language course beginning 26 June, as well as two seminars on Cambodian Immigration and Labor Laws set for 23 and 30 June, respectively, for the benefit of all overseas Filipinos in Cambodia. END
Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas led by SAMAPI President Mr. Zarggie Elloso. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Holy Mass for the country celebrated by Fr. Ceferino Ledesma. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Consul General Emma R. Sarne reading the remarks of Secretary for Foreign Affairs Hon. Enrique A. Manalo on the 125th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Members of the Filipino Community join Ambassador Aquino for a simple breakfast at the Embassy. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Ambassador Maria Amelita C. Aquino delivers her remarks during the diplomatic reception. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation His Excellency Prak Sokhonn delivers his remarks as Guest of Honor of the diplomatic reception. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
His Excellency Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and his spouse, Her Excellency Kheng Samvada join Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Her Excellency Maria Amelita C. Aquino in a toast. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Members of the diplomatic corps, Cambodian government, business community, non-governmental organizations and other sectors, as well as the Filipino community listen to the remarks of Ambassador Aquino and His Excellency Prak Sokhonn. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Ambassador Aquino (left) and Mr. Henry Roque of PAL (right) with Mr. George Pinyaev of the Russian Embassy in Phnom Penh (middle), who won two (2) roundtrip tickets (Phnom Penh-Manila-Phnom Penh) during the reception. (Phnom Penh PE photo)
Photo Opportunity of SAMAPi Officers with Ambassador Maria Amelita C. Aquino. (SAMAPI Cambodia Photo)
For more information, visit https://www.phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinCambodia/, or https://twitter.com/PhilippineIn.