Philippine Embassy in Athens Commemorates 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence

ATHENS 19 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy celebrated the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence on 12 June 2025 at 9:00 A.M. with a flag-raising ceremony held at the Embassy grounds, themed “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.”

The ceremony was led by Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec and attended by Consuls Therese R. Cantada and Christopher P. Castillo, Labor Attache Cynthia R. Cruz, Welfare Officer Marivic L. Mondina, as well as Embassy and MWO-OWWA personnel along with their families.

The program included the singing of the Philippine national anthem and the recitation of Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas, the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and taking the Bagong Pilipinas pledge, and thereafter the reading of short messages of OWWA Administrator Hon. Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hon. Hans Leo I. Cacdac, Foreign Affairs Secretary Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Jr., First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Cacho Araneta Marcos and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Ambassador Palec also delivered remarks during the ceremony, stating that it was a privilege to commemorate Independence Day abroad as this makes one proud of coming from the Philippines as well as being a Filipino, promoting our Filipino heritage and culture.

The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a holy Mass officiated by a newly assigned Filipino priest in Greece, Fr. Rodil Lladones, SDB. In his homily, Fr. Lladones acknowledged the hard work and dedication of foreign service personnel in carrying out their duties at post. He also reminded everyone of the importance of providing excellent service to overseas Filipinos and emphasized the value of camaraderie and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the workplace.

A photo opportunity concluded the program, followed by a breakfast featuring Filipino food and coffee, enjoyed by all attendees of the celebration. END

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