Philippine Independence Day in Lisbon Celebrates Filipino Spirit with Sports Fest and Community Gathering
Photos Courtesy of the Philippine Embassy and Mr. Emmanuel de Guzman
LISBON 16 July 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, in partnership with the Filipino Public Service Volunteers group, commemorated the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence on 12 July 2025. The whole day event featured a sports fest held at the Estádio Universitário de Lisboa, followed by a festive cultural gathering at the Missionaries of the Divine Word compound in Lisbon.
The day began with a lively sports festival featuring simultaneous friendly matches of basketball, volleyball, and badminton. In his opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal, Paul Raymund P. Cortes, highlighted the unifying spirit of the occasion. He underscored that beyond the sports competition, the event was a celebration of camaraderie, community spirit, and national pride among Filipinos in Portugal.
The culmination of the celebration was an outdoor community program that highlighted the rich talents and creativity of the Filipinos. The event began with a community parade led by Ambassador Paul Raymund P. Cortes, Dra. Yasmin Cortes, and members of the Philippine Embassy, followed by religious group leaders, event sponsors, volunteers, and participating sports athletes.
In his address to the Filipino community, Ambassador Cortes stated, “We may not be the wealthiest nation in material terms, but we are profoundly rich in heart, spirit, and solidarity. It is this richness that binds us as a community. Let us remember to celebrate this gift of richness of humanity and community, and always uplift one another.”
He also commended the Filipino Public Service Volunteers for their dedication and initiative in organizing an inclusive and engaging community event that truly reflected the spirit of bayanihan—the Filipino tradition of communal unity and mutual support.
Performances included song renditions and dance presentations. Filipino religious groups based in Portugal also participated in the festivities, including Jesus Christ the Servant King Ministries, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, Jesus is Lord Church, and the Filipino Catholic Community.
A festive food fair added a nostalgic and flavorful dimension to the celebration. Filipino entrepreneurs delighted attendees with beloved Filipino dishes such as Adobo, Lumpia, Humba, and Dinuguan, as well as popular street food like Kwek-kwek, Fishballs, Chicharong Bulaklak, Sago’t Gulaman, and Samalamig. Traditional desserts such as Halo- Halo, Leche Flan and Bibingka also offered guests a comforting taste of home.
One of the highlights of the program was a lively game of Pera o Palayok, a Filipino parlor game that added fun and nostalgia to the festivities. Inspired by a well-known segment from a Philippine television show, the event’s version of the game included a trivia component, where members of the community, both young and old, answered questions on Philippine history and culture. The game not only entertained the crowd but also served as an engaging way to reinforce national identity and cultural knowledge among the Filipino community in Portugal.
The event drew over 400 attendees from various parts of Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto, Leiria, and the Algarve. Portuguese locals and other foreign guests also joined in the celebration, making the occasion an inclusive and multicultural affair.
The celebration concluded on a joyful note with communal dancing and singing of beloved Filipino hits. Raffle prizes added excitement to the evening, generously sponsored by Megaworld, the Philippine National Bank (PNB), and Ria Transfer.
Members of the Filipino community expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Philippine Embassy and the organizing community groups for mounting a memorable event that rekindled their connection to their Filipino identity and culture. The celebration served as a reaffirmation of unity, pride, and the enduring spirit of the Filipino people abroad. END
For more information, visit https://www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPortugal/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinportugal/.