21 April 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the Guam Department of Health and Social Services (DPHSS), celebrated the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) and the International Women’s Month on April 15, at the Consular Area of the Consulate General.
The Consulate General commemorated the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers during WWII and honored the bravery of Filipino soldiers who offered their lives for freedom of the country by showing the documentary film entitled “Forgotten Soldiers” written by Chris Schaefer about the United States Army’s Philippine Scouts. The Consulate prepared seventy two (72) pieces of cupcakes which were designed with Philippine flag and with flavors of the Philippine banana, coconut and cacao from CocoaPhil. These cupcakes were given away to the first 72 consular applicants/visitors of the Consulate on that day to mark the 72nd Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan on 9 April 1942.
Aside from honoring the gallant men and soldiers during the WWII, the Consulate General also celebrated the International Women’s Month by putting up a special information and education campaign event dedicated for women’s concerns. The objective of this project was to inform the public of the importance and the rights of women as well as to recognize women’s resilience, strength and contribution to progress.
The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services – Bureau of Community Health Services (DPHSS-BCHS) joined the celebration by putting up a table in the Consular Area for free consultations from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Staff from DPHSS manned the booth and provided information on tobacco, diabetes, cancer, minority health, medical social services programs, Non-Communicable Disease Program and the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System Program for both men and women to visitors at the Consulate.
DPHSS representatives entertained more than 40 clients and distributed about 100 various educational materials on tobacco, diabetes, cancer (breast, cervical and colorectal), Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) and the quit cards. For Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (GBCCEDP), they were able to conduct a Pre and Post Survey Cancer Evaluation to 3 clients to determine their awareness of 3 the cancer types (breast, cervical and colorectal). The clients were then briefed on the 3 cancer types as well as given explanation on the right awareness on the matter. They were also able to enroll 4 qualified women to avail of the following examinations: Pap Smear, Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), Pelvic Examination and Mammogram.
The DPHSS representatives expressed appreciation to the Consulate General for inviting them to the celebrations, saying that this has allowed them to effectively reach out to the Filipino community.
As an important highlight of the commemoration, the Consulate General also hosted a thanksgiving luncheon attended by the following guests: Dr. Annette Rubio David, Consultant for the Anti-Tobacco Program of the World Health Organization and one of the 2013 Most Influential Women of the World; Col. David Riano and two other officers from the Guam National Guards, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS); Fr. Dan Bien of Sta. Barbara Parish, Dededo; the leaders and representatives of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG); Filipino Ladies Association of Guam (FLAG); Guam Filipino Artists (GFA) and other Filipino-American organizations on the island.
To cap the celebration, Consul General Mangibin also administered the oath of allegiance of the 10 Filipino-Americans who applied for dual citizenship under RA 9225, led by Professor Lilnabeth Somera of the University of Guam and her husband, Dr. Rene Rey Somera, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Guam Community College (GCC). END