PH Embassy, Filipino Community in Athens Commemorates 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood

Ambassador Palec together with the members of the Filipino Community in Athens (Athens PE photo)

ATHENS 26 June 2023 - As a culmination to the celebrations commemorating the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence and nationhood,the Filipino community in Greece, spearheaded by the Accredited Community Partners (ACP) from the Filipino community, and with the guidance and participation of the Philippine Embassy, the Migrants Workers Office (MWO) and the Office of the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA) successfully held a whole-day community event on 18 June 2023 in A. Tsokas corner M. Mela St., Ambelokipi, Athens,Greece.

After a three-year absence,because of the COVID-pandemic,the Filipino community in Athens gathered together for the first Filcom Independence Day celebration since 2019.

The program included the parade of all the participants in Filipiniana costumes led by the Philippine Embassy, a Balik-Tanaw Stage Drama, the singing of Philippine national anthem, invocation, the reading of messages of H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. by Philippine Ambassador to Greece Giovanni Palec; DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo by First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbara Robianes; Secretary of Migrant Susana Opie by Labor Attache Cynthia Cruz and an audio message from OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio.

Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Romulo Arugay, Department of Education Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas and their delegation who were on official visit in Greece also attended the event and also participated in the parade. Secretary Arugay delivered his message for the Filcom on the occasion.

The "Balik-Tanaw stage drama,performed by the students from the Philippine School in Greece (PSG), reenacted the major events that gave birth to the Filipino nation from the proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 1898 in Kawit,Cavite up to the end of the First Philippine Republic on 23 March 1901. It highlighted the display of the evolution of Philippine Flag,from the First revolutionary flag up to the current Philippine national flag which was first unfurled after the Philippine Revolutionary,and the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal in Luneta on 30 December 1896. The singing of the national anthem immediately followed the "Balik-Tanaw stage drama.

The celebration also featured the presentation of regional costumes of the Philippines; cultural performances of Philippine songs and dances by the different Filcom organizations; singing contests of Filipino songs and raffle draws. The booths featured Filipino food and delicacies,Philippine products,with some set-up in Filipino design. The festive atmosphere of the celebration was not only enjoyed by the Filipinos, it also attracted foreign visitors,friends and employers of our kababayan in Greece. The Filipino community's concerted efforts resulted in a successful celebration, even with the pouring rain during the early part of the program. 

The Philippine Embassy along with PMWO and OWAA also had booths to render services for overseas registration, contract verification and OWWA membership. END

The Philippine Embassy, MWO and OWWA personnel, with DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas at the start of the parade (Athens PE photo)

H.E. Giovanni E. Palec, Ambassador to Greece, reading the Independence Day Message of H.E. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (Athens PE photo)

First Secretary and Consul Judy Barbara Robianes reading the Independence Day Message of DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo (Athens PE photo)

Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz reading the Independence Day Message of DMW Secretary Susana Ople (Athens PE photo)

Secretary Romulo Arugay, Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) delivered his Message for the FilCom (Athens PE photo)

Scenes from the stage drama “Balik-Tanaw” performed by the students from the Philippine School in Greece (PSG) (Athens PE photo)

A display of the evolution of the Philippine Flag (Athens PE photo)

Photo opportunity with the guests: (Seated, L - R): Labor Attaché Cynthia Cruz, Consul Judy Barbara Robianes, CFO Secretary Romulo Arugay, Ambassador Giovanni Palec, Madame Lyn Palec, DepEd Assistance Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas, Consul Therese Cantada and Welfare Officer Marivic Mondina with the (Standing): Accredited Community Partners and the other FilCom event organizers. (Athens PE photo)

The students from the Philippine School in Greece during their cultural presentation. (Athens PE photo)

Overseas voting registration at the Philippine Embassy booth during the FilCom event.

  (Athens PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.athenspe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinGreece/.