PH Embassy in Mexico Celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera delivers her remarks during the diplomatic reception in celebration of the 125th Commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day at Presidente Intercontinental Hotel, Mexico City on 12 June 2023.

MEXICO 22 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Mexico celebrated the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence with this year's theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” with a diplomatic reception held at Presidente Intercontinental Hotel, Mexico City on 12 June 2023.

The event commenced with the singing of the Mexican national anthem, followed by the Philippine national anthem and the ASEAN hymn.

Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Lilybeth R. Deapera emphasized in her speech the plans and activities lined up to mark this year’s 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico: the illumination of the buildings of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mexican Senate with the colors of the Philippine Flag, the lecture on the Overview of Philippine-Mexico relations at Matias Romero Institute, and the Philippine Film Festival in coordination with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Cineteca Nacional of Mexico.  She also reported that the two countries are also exploring new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, education and cultural exchange. 

Meanwhile, Counsellor Fernando González Saiffe, Director General for Asia-Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in his response mentioned the commonality in a lot of things between the Philippines and Mexico’s shared history and culture. He mentioned that it is important to recall the words of Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine national hero, that “cooperatively working together is the only way we can advance together and make a better world.”

Invited guests were Mexican government officials, ASEAN counterparts, members of the diplomatic corps, Squadron 201, Philippine Honorary Consular Officers, among others. They were entertained with three (3) Filipino folk dances: La Jota de Moncadeña,  Cariñosa, and Singkil performed by Embassy personnel and volunteers from the Filipino community, headed by Third Secretary and Vice Cónsul Marisa R. Winkler, Ms. Maelani R. Mckenzie, Ms. Ariadnne Zoe Abuloc, Mr. Arnel Navarra, Ms. Opalyn Dela Cruz, Ms. Odelyn Dela Cruz, Mr. Gilbert Maglalang, Mr. Joeffrey Viernes, Mr. Armando Ceron, Mr. Manuel Enriquez and Mr. Ryan Valbuena. END

With Director General Fernando Gonzalez-Saiffe of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the diplomatic reception in celebration of the 125th Commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day at Presidente Intercontinental Hotel, Mexico City on 12 June 2023.

Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera (center) with Embassy personnel and their dependents, Philippine Trade and Investment Center Commercial Counsellor and staff and some Philippine Honorary Consular Officers during the diplomatic reception in celebration of the 125th Commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day at Presidente Intercontinental Hotel, Mexico City on 12 June 2023.

For more information, visit https://www.mexicope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMexico/.