Filipinos in Cambodia Fete Heroes of Philippine Revolution in Annual Independence Day Gathering

Members of the Filipino community in Cambodia gather for the annual independence day flag celebration at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh (Photos:  Phnom Penh PE)

PHNOM PENH 20 June 2024 – Representatives of Filipino communities in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other Cambodian provinces trooped today to the Philippine Embassy in the Cambodian capital for the annual celebration of Philippine independence day. 

The event opened with Holy Mass led by Siem Reap-based Jesuit priest, Fr. Totet Banaynal, and his uplifting pastoral message followed by the Independence Day Flag Ceremony covered by The Filipino Channel. Ritual dances performed by the Cordillerans in Cambodia (CIC) and the customary fellowship over almusal lent a festive air to the community event.

In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo reflected on this year’s Independence Day theme around Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan.   “Ang diwa ng tema nitong taon ay maaaring isang mahalang paalala na ang ang  pangkasalukuyang kalayaan ay hindi tinitiyak ng ating kinabukasan at dapat lang pangalagaan tulad ng naituro ng nakaraan.  We cannot take our present liberties for granted because these are not guaranteed by our future, as our past teaches us.  Ang laya mo’y babantayan, Pilipinas kong Mahal,” she said.  

The audience listened as well to the recorded messages of the Honorable Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. END

For more information, visit https://www.phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph,      https://www.facebook.com/PHLinCambodia or https://twitter.com/PHLinCambodia