Celebrating 126 Years of Independence: Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona Unites Filipino Community

Filipino community members and Consulate officials pose at the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, as they celebrate the 126th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence in Barcelona (Photo courtesy of RJ Placino, Barcelona PCG)

BARCELONA 24 June 2024 – On the morning of June 16, 2024, the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona hosted a celebration for the 126th Philippine Independence Day. The event, held at the Consulate, welcomed over 150 attendees, primarily composed of leaders from various Filipino community organizations based in Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, Palma de Mallorca, and Andorra. 

Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro congratulated everyone on the occasion of Philippine Independence Day and extended heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who helped with the preparations, ensuring a festive and memorable celebration for all. She also recalled the achievements of the consulate for the year so far, including the publication of the important ICON (In-country Orientation and Navigation) Kit and the introduction of the Filcom registration card. She highlighted that these accomplishments were achieved in close collaboration with the Filipino community, for which the consulate is deeply grateful. 

Recorded Independence Day messages from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, and Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier were played, with each message underscoring the importance of independence, national pride, and the enduring spirit of the Filipino people.

The program featured captivating performances by homegrown talents from the Filipino community, Ms. Maris Molina and Cristine Clerigo. Their heartfelt renditions of classic patriotic Filipino songs resonated deeply with the audience, inspiring a spirited sing-along and evoking a strong sense of national pride. 

Community leaders also took the stage to deliver inspiring messages, focusing on the unity of the Filipino community in Barcelona and throughout the Consulate’s jurisdiction and expressing gratitude for the close collaboration between the community and the Consulate. Their speeches emphasized the collective strength and resilience of Filipinos abroad, and the importance of working together to promote and preserve their heritage.

The event concluded with a breakfast, providing an opportunity for attendees to connect and reflect on the significance of the day. The celebration was a resounding success, fostering a sense of pride and unity among the Filipino community in Barcelona. END

Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro welcomed attendees, thanked volunteers and community leaders, and underscored the close collaboration between the community and the Consulate that led to successful projects in 2024

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