PH Embassy Celebrates Philippine Independence with Filipino Community in Pretoria
PRETORIA 27 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria hosted an event to commemorate the 126th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on 22 June 2024 at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens.
Around 197 Filipinos in the Southern African region and their accompanying African spouses and friends attended the commemorative activity.
Addressing the Filipino community, Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja said that it is important to honor and pay tribute to our forebears who valiantly fought for our freedom. Expounding on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s vision for a Bagong Pilipinas, she underscored that the toil of nation-building is a shared responsibility and called on fellow Filipinos to commit to building a better life for future generations of Filipinos.
Quoting the President’s message at the Kick-Off Rally on Bagong Pilipinas early this year, she said “Panahon na upang bumangon ang Pilipinas at ipakita natin sa buong mundo ang unity at pride sa pagiging Pilipino. Bagong Pilipinas is a call for transformation, the transformation of our idea of being Filipino and the transformation of our economy, of our governance, of society. Bagong Pilipinas begins with ourselves.”
The event was made more special with the participation of a delegation from the Philippine judiciary led by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier of the Supreme Court (SC) who were in South Africa to attend the Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention held in Johannesburg. The delegation took the opportunity to explain how the judiciary serves as an important pillar for the development of the Philippines and the strengthening of the country’s democratic processes.
Starting with a solemn flag ceremony, the event turned into an afternoon of camaraderie, fellowship and fun for Filipino attendees and other foreign guests. Filipino participants enthusiastically engaged in Filipino-inspired quiz show and memory games which allowed them to re familiarize themselves with Philippine history and culture. Filipino traditional games such as sipa, “pabitin” and bato bato pick were introduced to the younger generation of the Filipino diaspora in the region.
The Embassy, with generous contributions from the SC-led delegation, gave away raffle prizes to the delight of the attendees.
Talented Embassy personnel, namely, Joshua Leoj Ortiz, Paul Vincent Fodra and Nina Angelica Arquiza serenaded the crowd with a medley of Filipino popular songs. The surprise musical number snowballed into a community dance.
The celebration concluded on a high note, with the event serving as a platform to showcase the rich Filipino culture, heritage and talent. END
For more information, visit https://www.pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph or https://facebook.com/PHLinSouthAfrica/