PH Embassy Commemorates 127th Philippine Independence Day with High Noon Flag Ceremony; PH Flag Illuminates Tobb Towers in  Ankara 

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and Madame Ana Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto lead the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Ambassador’s residence in Ankara (Embassy photo) 

ANKARA 18 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Ankara commemorated the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence with a high noon flag-raising ceremony on 12 June 2025 at the Residence of Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. and Madame Ana Mariza  Sanchez-Bensurto. 

In his remarks, Ambassador Bensurto called upon Filipinos to remember the significance of the sacrifice that the heroes of the Philippine nation had committed themselves to in order to attain sovereignty and dignity for the country. He also remembered Former Secretary of  Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario for his contributions for the country, including the 2016  Arbitral Award on the South China Sea Arbitration. 

The solemn ceremony began with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by the officers,  staff, and family members of the Embassy. This was followed by the Panunumpa ng Katapatan  sa Watawat (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag), the Bagong Pilpinas pledge, and the  “I Care” pledge.

Afterwards, Ambassador and Madame Bensurto laid a wreath of flowers by the bust of  Apolinario Mabini, Philippine Hero and first Secretary of Foreign Affairs. 

The program continued with the video message of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and message from Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on the occasion of the 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.  

Guests were invited to Saluhan sa Kalayaan, a lunch reception, to end the program. 

After sunset, Ambassador and Madame Bensurto led Embassy officers and staff in viewing the illumination of the Philippine and Turkish flags at the Twin Towers of the Union of  Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) in Ankara. END

High noon flag-raising ceremony at the Ambassador’s Residence on 12 June 2025 (Embassy photo) 

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. delivering his remarks on the occasion of the 127th Philippine Independence Day on 12  June 2025 (Embassy photos) 

Philippine Embassy personnel with their family members at the Ambassador’s Residence (Embassy photos)

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. (3rd from right) and Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto (4th from right) with Philippine  Embassy officers and staff in front of the TOBB Towers which are illuminated with the Philippine and Turkish flags (Embassy photo) 

The TOBB Towers in Ankara illuminated with the Philippine and Turkish flags on the occasion of the 127th Philippine  Independence Day on 12 June 2025 (Embassy photo)

For more information, visit https://www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey/, https://twitter.com/PHinTurkey or https://www.instagram.com/phinturkey/.